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THE RED NECK TIES," 



OR 



HISTORY OF THE FIFTEENTH 

NEW YORK VOLUNTEER CAVALRY 



CONTAINING A 



Record of the Battles, Skirmishes, Marches, etc. , that 
the Regiment participated in from its organiza- 
tion in August, 1863, to the time of its discharge 
in August, 1865. 



COMPILED AND EDITED BY 
CMATJNOEIY S. NORTON. 



HI ^ 
1 W)\ 

ITHACA, N. Y. : 
Journal Book and Job Printing 
1 891. 

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v-^ 



W^) 



.4 „ 

Co-joy a 



Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1891, by 

CHAUNCEY S. NORTON, 
in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



TO THE 

SURVIVING MEMBERS 

OF THE 

Fifteenth New York Volunteer Cavalry, 

AND TO THE 

FRIENDS AND RELATIVES 

OF THOSE 

WHO FELL IN BATTLE OR DIED IN REBEL PRISONS THAT 

THE UNION MIGHT BE PRESERVED, 

IS THIS 

VOLUME RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Authority to Raise the Regiment— Company Officers— Field and 
Staff— Where the Different Companies Composing the Regi- 
ment were Raised— Location of Camp— How the Men Passed 
Away Time— Cook's Coffee House— How the Boys Worked the 
Scheme to Get a Free Meal— Visitors in Camp. 

CHAPTER II. 

Mustered into the United States Service- Laughable Incidents- 
Part of the Regiment Leave for Staten Island and the Rest 
for Washington— Camp Stoneman— A Sightly Place— Drawing 
Horses and Equipments— Our First Experience on Horseback 
—A Cavalryman's Duties— The Russian Fleet— Inspecting 
Boxes Received by Express— The First Casualties. 

CHAPTER III. 

Breaking Camp— Our First Day's March— Arrival in Loudon Val- 
ley. Va.— Mud Ankle Deep— First Night on Picket— Mobley 
the Guerrilla— The First Engagement— A Retreat Ordered— 
Death of Capt. Morgan of the First New Vork Veteran Cav- 
alry—Lieut. Hampton of the 15th Badly Wounded and Taken 
Prisoner— Bravery of Our Men 

CHAPTER IV. 

Scouting and Foraging— The Faithful Old Darkeys-Disloyalty of 
the White Element— An Episode— Off for Burlington or "Mud 
Camp"— An Isolated Place— Companies L and M Join the 
Regiment— Col. Richardson Arrives and Takes Command 



vi TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

A Mounted Band— Shot on Picket— Saltpetre Works De- 
stroyed — Disagreeable Weather— Night Alarms — Punished for 
Insulting Women. 

CHAPTER V. 

Arrival at Winchester — Our Pay Increased to Sixteen Dollars a 
Mouth — Assigned to the Second Brigade, First Division West 
Virginia Cavalry— Massing of Troops— A Reconnoissance Or- 
dered The Skirmish at Lost River Gap — The Skirmish at 
Newtown — Capt. Brett of the First New York Cavalry Killed 
— The Noted Rebel Guerrilla Harry Gilmour Captured but 
Manages to Escape. 

CHAPTER VI. 

A Forward Movement— The Battle of New Market — Repulse of 
the Union Forces— The Gallant Stand Made by the Second 
Squadron of the Fifteenth— Gen. Sigel Superseded by Gen. 
Hunter — Another Advance Ordered — Capt. Auer Taken Pris- 
oner—The Battle of Piedmont— The Enemy Routed— The Af- 
fair at Waynesboro— The Fifteenth Hold in Check a Targe 
Force of the Enemy — Complimented by Gen. Duffle — The 
Battle of Lynchburg — Disastrous Retreat of Our Troops— A 
Skirmish at Salem— Hardships and Privations — Arrival at 

Parkersburg. 

CHAPTER VII. 

Back to the Valley Again — Lieut. Shearer Murdered — Tracks Torn 
Up— Engagements at Martinsburg, Snicker's Gap, Berry's 
Ford, Ashby's Gap, Winchester and Charlestowu — Scouting 
Through Maryland and up into Pennsylvania— The Inhabi- 
tants Treat the Men to Soft Bread and Other Luxuries— Back 
Again to Virginia— Mosby's Guerrillas Committing Depreda- 
tions—The Regiment Reduced to Seventy-five Mounted Men 
—Sent to Cumberland, Md., to Recruit Up. 

CHAPTER VIII. 
In Camp at Cumberland— A Beautiful Location— An Occasional 
Drill— Receiving Horses— Execution of a Murderer— Political 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. vn 

Excitement— The Men Discuss their Favorites for President- 
Casting their Votes— The Paymaster's Welcome Visit— The 
Fight at Green Springs Run— Death of Lieut. Hatch— Break 
Camp Again— Cold Weather— Distressing Accident— The 
Shenandoah Valley — The View From Maryland Heights. 

CHAPTER IX. 

At Winchester — The Regiment Assigned to the Second Brigade, 
Third Division— The Fight at Lacey Springs— Bitter Cold 
Weather — Hands and Feet Frozen— Christmas in Camp — Win- 
ter Quarters — Deserters Shot — Furloughs Given — Col. Rich- 
ardson Resigns— Gen. Sheridan Reviews the Cavalry— Snow 
Ball Fight— Sharpening Sabres— Orders Issued for a Forward 
Movement. 

CHAPTER X. 

The Great Raiding Column Moves — The Fight at Waynesboro— 
Tearing up Railroad Tracks— Skirmish at Ashland— Arrival 
at White House Landing— The Victory at Five Forks— The 
Johnnies on the Run— The Fight at Appomattox Station— 
The Fifteenth Captures Seventeen Pieces of Artillery — Death 
of Lieut. -Col. Root— The Surrender— Custer's Farewell Ad- 
dress. 

CHAPTER XL 

After the Surrender— Off for North Carolina — The Orders Counter- 
manded — The March to Washington— In Camp at Bladens- 
burg — The Grand Review — In Virginia Again — Consolidated 
with the Sixth New York Cavalry— Off for Louisville— Doing 
Patrol Duty— Mustered Out— En route Home— Paid Off and 
Disbanded. 

APPENDIX. 

The Mare Fanny— The Last Charge Made in the Army of the Po- 
tomac — A Prophetic Dream — A Brave Soldier— Sergeant 
Conkling's Bravery — The Lacey Springs Affair — In Memoriam 
— Died in Prison — A Thrilling Adventure— Original Muster In 
Roll — List of Battles and Skirmishes — Etc., etc. 



INTRODUCTION 



HE year 1863 opened dark and gloomy for the 
Union cause. Burnside's magnificent army had 
been hurled back from the heights of Fredericks- 
bur^ the month previous, and thousands upon thou- 
sands of our brave boys had been needlessly sacrificed. 
In the spring of 1863 Gen. Hooker took command of 
the Army of the Potomac, and the loyal people of 
the North, having confidence in him, awaited the 
coming shock with the expectation that victory 
would perch upon our banners. The battle of Chan- 
cellorville was fought and the gallant army was again 
beaten back with enormous loss. The enemy, em- 
boldened bv their success, now planned an invasion 
of the North. The term of the two years' men hav- 
ing expired, and the terrible losses sustained by the 
army in its numerous engagements necessitated the 
calling for more volunteers, and under that call the 
15th New York Cavalry was organized and sent to 
the front. 

In the meantime another change of commanders 
had occurred, Gen. George C. Meade assuming com- 
mand. The rebel army was brought to bay at Gettys- 
burg, Pa., and there on the 1st, and and 3d of July, 



10 INTRODUCTION. 

1863, occurred one of the most desperate and san- 
guinary conflicts ever fought on the American contin- 
ent, victory finally perching on the banners of the 
Union army. This battle was considered the turning 
point of the rebellion, the high water mark, for from 
that time on, under the vigorous blows of Grant, 
Sherman and Sheridan, the structure began to decay 
and finally went to pieces at Appomattox Court House, 
Va., in the spring of 1865. 

The part you took in bringing about this glori- 
ous result is one that you and future generations can 
look back to with pride. Under the lead of the gal- 
lant Custer, who commanded the "red neck tie" 
division, you did your full share in crushing treason 
and upholding the honor of the dear old flag. 

Ithaca, N. Y., April, 1891. 



THE RED NECK TIES. 



CHAPTER I. 

.Authority to Raise the Regiment — Company Officers — Field and 
Staff— Where the Different Companies were Raised — Location 
of Camp — How They Passsed Away Time — Cook's Coffee 
House— How They Worked the Scheme to Get a Free Meal- 
Visitors in Camp. 

^fHE 15th New York Volunteer Cavalry was or- 

\Q ganized at Syracuse, N. Y., in the summer of 

1863, under the following Special Orders : 

General Headquarters, State of New York, 
Adjutant General's Office, 

Albany, May 29, 1863. 

Special Orders \ 
No. 251. J 

Authority is hereby given for the reorganization of the 1 2th 
regiment New York State Volunteers as a regiment of cavalry, to 
be known and designated as the Fifteenth Regiment of Cavalry, 
New York State Volunteers. 

The following named officers are hereby appointed : 

Colonel— Robert M. Richardson. 

Lieutenant-Colonel— Augustus I. Root. 

Col. Richardson will establish his headquarters at Syracuse, 
in the County of Onondaga, and proceed with the organization of 
the regiment in conformity with the provisions of General Orders 
No. no War Department, current series, and General Orders No. 



12 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

20 from this office, together with such orders and instructions as 
he may from time to time receive from these headquarters. 

Sixty (60) days is allowed for the organization of this regi- 
ment, and if not completed in that time will be liable to consoli- 
dation. 

By order of the Commander-in-Chief. 
Signed, John T. Spraguk, 

Adjutant General. 

The regiment was raised principally in the 
counties of Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Oneida, 
Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Genesee, Tompkins and 
Erie. The commanding officers of the different 
companies were as follows : 

Co. A— Capt. Michael Auer. 
Co. B— Capt. Thomas G. Putnam. 
Co. C— Capt. Jefferson C. Bigelow. 
Co. D — Capt. Orson R. Colegrove. 
Co. E— Capt. George M. Ellicott. 
Co. F — Capt. Leonard F. Hathaway. 
Co. G— Capt. Wallis M. Boyer. 
Co. H— Capt. John F. Moschell. 
Co. I — Capt. Joseph Herron. 
Co. K— Capt. John S. Hicks. 
Co. L— Capt. Marshall M. Lovdon. 
Co. M— Capt. Seth J. Steves. 

FIKLD AND STAFF. 

Colonel — Robert M. Richardson. 

Lt.-Col. — Augustus I. Root. 

Majors— Joseph H. Wood, Robert H. S. Hyde. 

Adjutant— Sydney Tuttle. 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 13 

Quartermaster — Edward R. Trull. 
Surgeon — George .V. Skiff. 
Commissary — Courtland Clark. 

The men as fast as enlisted were sent to the 
camp of instruction located at Syracuse. The spot 
selected was just on the outskirts of the southern 
part of the city, or where is now located the old fair 
grounds. Many of the enlisted men were old veter- 
ans, having seen service under McDowell, McClellan, 
Pope, Burnside and Hooker. Others had never fired 
a gun or handled a sabre, but had become soldiers 
and willing - to put on a soldier's garb and battle for 
their country's honor. To them camp life and camp 
rations were a novelty. 

Camp discipline was not very severe. Occasion- 
ally a patrol would be sent out, but for what purpose 
no one could tell, as no passes were required to go in 
and out of camp. Many of the men to pass away 
time would seek employment in the city whereby 
they could earn some money. Some helped load and 
unload canal boats, some worked at other trades, and 
your historian remembers of putting in several days' 
work in the job room of the Syracuse Journal. 

Cook's l 'Coffee House" was then in all of its 
glory. It was situated on the spot where the Vander- 
bilt House now stands, and its tables fairly groaned 
under the weight of its toothsome dainties. It was 
the headquarters in those days for the privates, es- 
pecially about dinner time, and there was generally a 



14 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

scramble to see who could get in first, and in many 
instances get out without paying for it. I attribute 
that to a trick learned during their two years' service 
and which they had imparted to the new recruits. 
The scheme was to walk into the dining rooms, sit 
down to the table and eat a square meal, and watch 
when a crowd was about to go out and mingle with 
them. As they were not required to pay until they 
came out of course there was generally a crowd 
around the cashier's desk, which was the opportun- 
ity offered for the u boys" to slide out. 

Nightfall would generally find them all wending 
their way to camp to repose upon the soft side of a 
plank wrapped up in their blankets, or upon the 
ground if the weather was favorable. 

The camp was visited every day by the friends 
and relatives of the enlisted men, who came to see 
how they fared and were getting along. 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 15 



CHAPTER II. 

Mustered into the United States Service — Laughable Incidents- 
Part of the Regiment Leave for Staten Island and the Rest 
for Washington — Camp Stoneman — A Sightly Place — Draw- 
ing Horses and Equipments — Our First Experience o?i Horse- 
back — A Cavalryman' 1 's Duties— The Russian Fleet — Inspect- 
ing Boxes Received by Express — The First Casualties. 

^tTHE companies composing the first and second 
\G) battalions were mustered into the United States 
service between August 8th and 26th, 1863, and 
those of the third battalion between November, 1863, 
and January, 1864. Some amusing incidents occurred 
during the muster in of some of the companies. One 
especially coining under the writer's notice was that 
of Sewell Babcock of Co. G. Babcock was quite 
small, and his comrades were doubtful of his passing 
muster. But he was full of patriotism and deter- 
mined to go with his company, so after being marched 
out to the place where the ceremony took place, and 
while the officers were going through the prelimina- 
ries, Babcock, who was in the rear rank, with the aid 
of some of his comrades, built a little mound of earth, 
covered it with grass, and stood on it. He passed. 
I have no doubt instances of the same nature oc- 
curred in other companies of the regiment. 



16 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

"Fall in ; fall in," was the joyful sound heard 
on Saturday, August 29th, and Cos. A, B, C, and E 
took up their line of march from camp to the railroad 
station, where they boarded the cars and were off for 
Staten Island, their place of rendezvous, under com- 
mand of Lieut. -Col. Root. On Monday, September 
21st, two companies of the second battalion, under 
command of Capt. Colegrove, left for Staten Island. 

On Friday, October 16th, the companies remain- 
ing at Syracuse boarded the cars and were transport- 
ed direct to Washington, arriving there on Sunday, 
October iStli. The following day they went out to 
Camp Stoneman, where they found the first battalion 
in camp, they having arrived there nearly a month 
before and had received their horses and been out on 
several reconnoissances. 

Camp Stoneman was situated on a slight knoll 
commanding a beautiful view of the country. Wash- 
ington lay to the north of us, the Potomac to the 
west, and the ancient city of Alexandria to the 
south. Although the camp was high and dry, there 
was quite an amount of sickness among the men, 
and several deaths, due no doubt to homesickness and 
a change of climate and diet. 

In due course of time the second battalion drew 
clothing and sabres, and drilling commenced. Before 
many weeks every man was an expert in the hand- 
ling of a sabre. Recruits continued to arrive daily, 
and were put through the same ordeal. 

On the 29th of November, 1863, they received 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 17 

their horses and equipments, and then commenced 
the fun for them as no doubt it was for the men of the 
first battalion. Scarcely one out of a hundred of the 
men composing the regiment had ever rode a horse 
to any great extent while at home, and to witness 
their attempts to mount and go through the evolu- 
tions was amusing to say the least. They were first 
put through a course of drill bareback for several 
days. After becoming used to that, a blanket was 
o-iven them, which afforded them some relief. Next 
came saddles without stirrups, and the agony was in- 
creased tenfold. But we had enlisted to be soldiers, 
and must take the bitter with the sweet. Finally 
stirrups were put on and our troubles were over, but 
some of the men were nearly used up with the hard- 
ships endured. 

On the 30th of November, Co. I, Capt. Joseph 
Herron, was mustered in and put through the same 
ordeal. 

A cavalryman's life is not an easy one by any 
means. The first thing in the morning he has to 
feed his horse. The horse eats his grain out of a 
nose bag which is held on by a strap that goes over 
his head. While he is eating the men groom him, 
which usually occupies an hour. After that the men 
get their breakfast and then go and water their 
horses. Guard mounting follows, then drill ; next 
comes dinner, to be followed by more drilling ; then 
dress parade, feeding and watering horses again, supper, 
and in a little while to bed. On a march or a scout, 



18 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

no matter how tired you are, your horse has to be 
taken care of when you halt for the night, whether 
you have anything to eat or not ; for if neglected 
they would soon give out and become worthless. 

Several patrols were sent out while we lay at 
Camp Stoneman, one detachment going as far as 
Port Tobacco, in Lower Maryland, 35 miles down 
the Potomac. On December nth a detachment went 
over into Virginia after some horses. 

During our stay here a Russian fleet, consisting 
of four men-of-war, hove in sight and anchored in 
the Potomac in plain view of our camp. While ly- 
ing there the vessels on several occasions were decked 
from top to bottom with flags and bunting, present- 
ing a beautiful sight. 

Thus the days passed and the holidays ap- 
proached. Boxes began to arrive from home contain- 
ing dainties that only a soldier knew how to appreci- 
ate. There was an order issued from headquarters 
that all boxes must undergo an inspection, and if any 
liquor was found in them it was confiscated by the 
"powers that was." It was amusing to see how the 
boys trembled for fear it would be discovered. But 
their injunction to those at home how to prepare a 
box had been obeyed, and the box would generally 
pass muster. Once inside the tent the soldier would 
throw off all restraint and a search commenced. The 
little "joker" sometimes would be found inside of a 
roll of butter, again in a roll of tobacco, or inside of 
a cake or a loaf of bread ; and last, but not least, 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 19 

would serve as the stuffing for a chicken or turkey. 

Mail was sent and received from the absent ones 
daily. Passes were granted quite often to the men 
who wished to visit the capital. Four inches of snow 
fell on the 9th of January, 1864, which made the 
men think of their northern homes. 

The first casualty in the regiment was that of 
private Augustus Holburton, who was shot and killed 
by guerrillas about the 1st of November, 1863. 

Private John C. Clark, of Co. H, was also killed 
by a stray bullet while in the act of cooking his 
meal. 



20 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 



CHAPTER III. 

Breaking Camp— Our First Day's March— Arrival in Loudon 
Valley, Va.— Mud Ankle Deep— First Night On Picket -Mob- 
ley the Guerrilla — The First Engagement — A Retreat Order- 
ed—Death of Capt. Morgan of the First New York Veteran 
Cavalry— Lieut. Hampton of the 15th Badly Wounded and 
Taken Prisoner — Bravery of Our Men — The Losses. 

N the 1 6th of January, 1864, the regiment broke 
camp and took up their line of inarch for Vir- 
ginia. A few dismounted men were left behind 
in command of Quartermaster Trull. The column 
passed through Washington and Georgetown and en- 
camped the first night at Frederick, Md. From there 
we went to Harper's Ferry, reaching that place on the 
19th and crossing the river, encamped in Loudon 
Valley. 

The night previous to our arrival, the rebels 
under command of one Mobley had attacked the 
troops that we had relieved. Being acquainted with 
the country, they had surprised and taken prisoners 
the Union pickets and then charged their main camp, 
killing and wounding quite a number while lying in 
their tents. The members of the 15th were told of 
the exploits of this guerrilla leader and his men ; 
what he had done, and how treacherous he was, and 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 21 

the detail sent out on picket that night for the first 
time in the enemy's country, will never forget their 
experience and what thoughts were conjured up. 

The location of our camp was far from being a 
favorable one, as it was situated in a ravine with the 
mud ankle deep. Thanks to Lieut. Hurd of Co. H 
who was acting Quartermaster, enough lumber was 
secured so that each tent was provided with a board 
floor. The regiment remained here for a number of 
days and made frequent scouts up the valley after 
Mobley and his men but never succeeded in captur- 
ing him, although some of the 15th were roundly 
abused by his mother, to whose house in the moun- 
tains they went one night in hopes of capturing him. 

Breaking camp again we recrossed the river and 
encamped at Halltown, Va. On January 31st, 1864, 
a detail left camp for several days' scout. On Feb- 
ruary 4th they were at Moorfield, Va., and saw a 
rebel wagon train ascending a mountain road. The 
men were eager to capture it, but Col. Mulligan, who 
was in command of the troops composing the expe- 
dition, refused to let them. The casualties on the 
raid were two men wounded. 

We were brigaded when we went to Halltown 
with the 21st New York, 1st New York Veterans and 
22d Pennsylvania Cavalry. 

On Friday, February 19th, 1864, seventy-five 
men from the 15th New York cavalry, under com- 
mand of Capt. Michael Auer, and Lieuts. Hurd and 
Hampton ; twenty-five men from the First New York 



22 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

Veteran cavalry, under command of Capt. Morgan, 
and fifty men from the 2 2d Pennsylvania cavalry, 
were sent by Gen. Hunter from Harper's Ferry to 
Uppersville and Front Royal to meet a detachment. 
Leaving at 9 p. m. under Major Cole of the 22d Penn- 
sylvania cavalry, they arrived at Uppersville at 2:30 
o'clock the next morning, halted in a piece of woods 
with pickets out till early dawri, and then charged on 
Col. Mosby's headquarters. This was the first caval- 
ry work taken part in by the 15th New York cavalry, 
and the result was the capture of sixteen privates 
and three officers, besides killing several and scatter- 
ing the rest of the rebel raiders. 

The next order was "Onto Front Royal !" But the 
little Union force had not gone more than a mile and 
a half before the rapidly gathering squads of Confed- 
erate horsemen showed that a continued march would 
probably result in disaster and capture. A retreat 
was ordered with the nineteen prisoners placed in 
front under guard. Capt. Morgan was in command 
of the rear guard, and the force had only just re- 
traced their steps through Uppersville when the reb- 
els made a charge on the rear guard, killing Capt. 
Morgan and driving his men into the main column. 
A counter charge drove the Confederates back and 
the retreat was resumed. 

The worst was to come. The column was mov- 
ing down a steep icy hill between two stone walls less 
than three rods apart. All of the horses were smooth 
shod, and the retreat was slow. At the foot of the 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 23 

hill was a sudden turn in the road to the right, and 
the rebels conceived the plan of cutting across lots, 
intercept the front of the column and rescue the pris- 
oners before the rear guard could come down the slip- 
pery hill road to their assistance. Capt. Auer, of the 
15th, was then in command of the rear guard, and 
seeing the movement he ordered Lieut. B. N. Hurd, 
also of the 15th, to go back with a detachment of 
twenty men to hinder the plan, while he dashed 
across the field with a force to stop the rebels' ad- 
vance. Capt. Auer led his men across till they 
reached a rail fence which their horses could not 
vault on account of its being up hill. A hay stack 
just over the fence was sheltering the rebels, and be- 
fore a gap could be made in the fence the horses of 
Capt. Auer and Lieut. Hampton, of the 15th, had 
been shot, and Lieut. Hampton shot through the 
shoulder and knocked senseless by a sabre blow 
on the head. Deprived of its officers, the company 
fell back just as Lieut. Hurd with his twenty men 
were coming down to their aid from the top of the 
hill. Lieut. Hurd soon took in the situation and re- 
alized that he was completely cut off from the main 
line unless he could reach the road and join the col- 
umn by running the gauntlet of the icy track down 
the hill with the rebels firing from the walls. Some 
of the twenty succeeded, but .not all. 

"Surrender, you ," yelled the rebels, 

leaning over the walls with their pistols. Lieut. 
Hurd was one of the last to run the gauntlet, and fir- 



24 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

ing his last shot as he passed the enemy, he dropped 
over on the side of his big black horse. The first 
fire pierced the horse through, and he fell mortally 
wounded with his rider clinging to his neck. In try- 
ing to extricate his feet from the stirrups, however, 
one of the spurs pierced the horse's flank, at which 
he leaped again to his feet and dashed with his rider 
past the enemy's line. No sooner had he reached 
the main body than the noble animal again sank to 
the ground, and died of his wounds. Capt. Auerhad 
obtained another horse in the meantime and was urg- 
ing: on the lieutenant in his race for life. 

Lieut. Hampton was not killed, but on regain- 
ing consciousness found himself in the hands of the 
enemy. His wounds were dressed by the rebel sur- 
geon, and he was treated like a gentleman while he 
remained with them. He had but lately joined the 
15th New York Cavalry, having been transferred from 
the 8th New York Cavalry. While serving in the 
latter regiment he was also taken prisoner and was 
confined four months. 

The casualties of the Fifteenth were six men 
wounded and captured. The rebel loss was several 
killed and wounded, besides the nineteen prisoners 
captured and brought safely into camp. 

Sergeant Hatch, of Co. A, (who was afterward 
killed at Green Springs Run), was very conspicuous 
for bravery in this action. 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 25 



CHAPTER IV. 

Scouting and Foraging— The Faithful Old Darkeys— Disloyalty 
of the White Element— An Episode— Off for Burlington or 

"Mud Camp"— An Isolated Place— Companies L and M Joins 
the Regiment Col. Richardson Arrives and Takes Command 
—A Mounted Band —Shot on Picket— Saltpetre Works De- 
stroyed—Disagreeable Weather— Nigh t A la rms —Pu n i shed for 
Insulting Women. 

OCOUTING and foraging expeditions were theal- 
($F) most daily occupations of the regiment while ly- 
ing at Halltown. The inhabitants of the Shen- 
andoah valley were intensely disloyal and showed their 
hate in a variety of ways towards the Union soldiers. 
Charlestown, the hot-bed of secession in the valley, 
was visited several times, the citizens showing their 
spite by keeping in doors and peeking out through 
closed blinds, while the boys retaliated by singing 
"John Brown's Body." The court house at Charles- 
town was an object of interest, it being the place where 
John Brown was tried and condemned. 

No little amusement was occasioned while out 
foraging, by the pitiful wail of the inmates of the 
houses that you 'uns had taken everything and Jhad 
left them nothing to eat. But the faithful old dark- 
eys with a comical wink would pilot the boys to a 



26 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

hay or straw stack or a mound of earth, which being 
torn down or uncovered would disclose a quantity of 
bacon and hams, and the wagons would return to 
camp at night well laden with the necessaries of life, 
while across the pommel of the saddles might be seen 
dangling many a fowl. 

One day while the regiment was marching along 
the turnpike, returning to camp from one of their 
frequent scouts, a member of the regiment, whose 
haversack was empty and whose hunger must be ap- 
peased, entered a house whose only occupant was a 
lady, and accosted her thus : 

"Madam, can I get anything to eat here ?" 

"No, sir, your folks have taken everything I 
have." 

"What do you live on ?" 

In the meantime the soldier's eyes had not been 
idle, and he espied a cupboard in one corner of the 
room. Addressing the woman again, he said : 

il Well, I must have something to eat, so I will 
just look around and see what I can find." 

Advancing towards the cupboard, the woman 
halted him with the remark that she might possibly 
find him something, and opening the cupboard door 
she took out a nice piece of boiled ham and half a 
loaf of bread, and handed them to him. The soldier 
politely thanked her and rejoined his regiment. 

February 24th. — A detail of about 200 men left 
camp early on a scout. They were gone all day, 
catching here and there a glimpse of small squads of 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 27 

rebels, but their horses were too fleet for us, and they 
managed to keep out of harm's way. On returning 
to camp at night they found it deserted, the rest of the 
regiment having left for Burlington, West Va., and 
the rest of the brigade sent to other places. It being 
late, and men and horses tired out, they unsaddled 
and concluded to remain all night, being served with 
hot coffee by the members of the 21st New York Cav- 
alry who were encamped near by. 

February 25th.— Got an early start and overtook 
the balance of the regiment. 

February 26th.— Arrived at Romney and en- 
camped all night, a number of the boys taking up 
their quarters in the court house and some staying in 
private houses where they regaled themselves on hoe- 
cake and bacon served up to them by those ever faith- 
ful friends of the soldiers, the negroes. 

February 27th.— Reached Burlington and went 
into camp ; and what a place for a camp. It was 
appropriately named k 'Camp Mud." It was situated 
between two high hills, the ravine being not over 75 
to 100 feet wide, and when the tents were pitched 
there was not much spare room left. Why we were 
sent there is a problem not yet solved. One single 
regiment in the enemy's country, some 40 or 50 miles 
from any other command. Some one blundered, but 
as it was, the Johnnies did not molest us much. 

February 28th.— Companies L and M joined the 
regiment. 



28 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

February 29th. — A scouting party of 300 started 
out. 

March 1st. — Snowed and rained all day. The 
camp in a horrible condition as regards mud and 
slush. 

March 2d. — A detail started off on a scout to- 
wards Petersburg. 

March 3d. — After an early breakfast boots and 
saddles sounded, the inarch was resumed, and soon 
afterwards the picket fires of the rebels were seen 
but no enemy encountered. Passed through Peters- 
burg during the day and went into camp beyond 
the town for the night. 

March 4th. — The scouting party returned to 
camp. 

March 10th. — Boots and saddles sounded three 
times at night. Co. K put under arrest for causing 
a disturbance. 

March 12th. — A scouting party sent out to Moor- 
field. 

March 13th. — Colonel Richardson arrives and as- 
sumes command of the regiment for the first time 
since we left Syracuse. A novelty to be seen in 
camp is a brass band mounted. The members com- 
posing it were taken from the different companies, 
and after a little practice rendered some excellent 
music. 

March 15th. — The weather becomes quite cold. 

March 22d. — Another detail started off on a 
scout at 3 A. M. They proceeded as far as Franklin 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 29 

and destroyed the saltpetre works located there. 
The column was gone several days and endured many 
hardships as the weather was very disagreeable. 
They captured a jackass battery but lost it on their 
return trip while coining down the mountain side. 

March 25th.— At ten o'clock at night picket 
firing was heard, boots and saddles sounded, and the 
camp was in a state of excitement for a few minutes. 
The men were finally dismissed with the injunction 
to sleep on their arms all night to be ready for any 
emergency. 

March 30th. — Three inches of snow fell. 

April 8th. — The regiment was ordered out dis- 
mounted and they were inarched to the vicinity of 
the guard house and formed in a hollow square. 
Several members of the regiment, who had been ar- 
rested for insulting women, were then brought out 
and underwent the humiliating operation of having 
their heads shaved. 

April 10th. — Another scouting party sent out to 
the vicinity of Moorfield. Scouting seemed to be 
the chief occupation of the regiment and served in a 
measure to keep them out of mischief. 

The paymaster was a welcome visitor while we 
lay in camp at Burlington. Some of the regiment 
were off on a scout when he arrived, and on their re- 
turn had to take up with what sort of money he had 
left. One man was paid off entirely in "shinplasters" 
in small denominations, and he had a wad nearly as 
big as a roll of wall paper lugging off to his tent. 



30 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

April 17th. — Thomas Emily, of Co. G, while out 
on picket was shot through the wrist by a bush- 
whacker, and subsequently died from the effects of 
the wound. All of the inhabitants in the vicinity of 
the camp would profess to be staunch Unionists dur- 
ing the day, but as soon as night came they would 
sneak up to the pickets and shoot them down in cold 
blood. 

April 19th. — Called up at 3 A. m., as an attack 
on the camp was momentarily expected. 

April 20th. — Boots and saddles again sounded at 
4 A. M., and the men stood to their horses anxiously 
awaiting events. There being no cause for the 
alarm they were ordered back to their tents, but cau- 
tioned to be on the alert. 

April 23d. — Orders were received to pack up and 
be ready to leave at a moment's notice. 

April 24th. — The regiment left camp at 10 A. m., 
traveled all day and went into camp at Frankfort. 

April 25th. — Resumed the march and went as far 
as Springfield and went into camp. Laid here for 
several days, being joined by several other regiments. 

April 29th. — Everything packed up ready for a 
move. The dismounted men sent to the rear. The 
regiment left camp and reached Romney at 5 A. M. 
on the morning of April 30th. 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 31 



CHAPTER V. 

Arrival at Win Chester- Our Pay Increased to Sixteen Dollars a 

Month- Assigned to the Second Brigade, First Division, West 
Virginia Cavalry— Massing of Troops— A Reconnoisance 
Ordered— The Skirmish at Lost River Gap -The Skirmish at 
Newtozvn—Capt. Brett of the First New York Cavalry Killed 
- The Noted Rebel Guerrilla Harry Gilmour Captured but 
Manages to Escape. 

^\N Saturday, May ist, 1864, the regiment reached 
Winchester, arriving there about 7 p. m. , and 
going into camp on Senator Mason's plantation. 
The government to-day increased the pay of her sol- 
diers to $16 a month. Our brigade at this time was 
known as the Second Brigade, First Division, West 
Virginia Cavalry. The division was commanded by 
Brigadier-General Duffie and the brigade by Col. 
Wynkoop, and consisted of the 15th New York and 
20th and 22d Pennsylvania Cavalry. 

May 2d. — The troops in the vicinity of Winches- 
ter were reviewed by Gen. Stahl. They comprised 
infantry, cavalry and artillery to the number of 15,000 
or more, under command of Gen. Sigel. The caval- 
ry were kept busy scouting in various directions, and 
everything betokened a movement against the enemy. 
May 6th. — A detail of 200 men from the 15th 
New York cavalry under the command of Lieut. -Col. 



32 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

Root, Capts. Hathaway and Bigelow, and Lieuts. 
Hurd and Ruliffson, together with a battalion of the 
22d Pennsylvania cavalry, all under command of Col. 
Jacob Higgins of the 22d Pennsylvania, were order- 
ed to make a reconnoisance in the direction of Moor- 
field and left camp that evening. As they were par- 
ticipants in some exciting scenes your historian 
thought it might be of interest to give an account of 
their jouineyings. 

They arrived at Moorfield on Saturday evening, 
May 8th, losing one man on the way, and drove the 
rebels out of the place and encamped there for the 
nio-ht. On the morning of the ioth they broke camp 
and resumed their march. Nothing of importance 
occurred until about 10 A. m. when the enemy's cav- 
alry were discovered and the 2 2d Pennsylvania, who 
were in advance, immediately charged them and they 
retreated into a mountain pass hotly pursued by our 
men. This was just what the Johnnies wanted, for 
they had led us into an ambush. They had artillery 
and infantry posted in the gap, and no sooner had 
our men entered it than they opened a destructive 
fire, but luckily not doing much damage. Our boys 
were compelled to retreat, the enemy closely pursu- 
ing in overwhelming numbers. A running fight was 
kept up to and beyond Romney when the pursuit 
was abandoned. This affair was known as Lost 
River Gap. The loss to the detachment of the 15th 
was eight. 

The detachment brought up at Cumberland, Md., 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 33 

and thence proceeded to Green Spring- Run, and 
after remaining there a day or two took up their line 
of march for Martinsburg at which place they went 
into camp. 

On the 24th of May what was left of the detach- 
ment of the 15th New York, together with a small 
remnant of the 21st New York Cavalry and a few 
infantrymen, in all about 125 men under command 
of Lieut. -Col. Root, left Martinsburg for the front in 
charge of twelve or fifteen wagons loaded with hos- 
pital supplies. Capt. Brett of the 1st New. York cav- 
alry was one of the party on his way to join his regi- 
ment. The command halted for the night within a 
mile or so of Winchester. The next morning the 
march was resumed. Passing through Winchester 
safely they soon reached Newtown without any signs 
of the enemy being seen. Continuing their march 
they had not proceeded far when shots were heard in 
the rear. Lieut. Hurd of the 15th who was in com- 
mand of the advance guard immediately led his men 
back to the town and found the wagon train in posses- 
sion of the enemy and the rear guard scattered. He 
immediately ordered a charge which served to hold the 
rebels'in check. At the first onslaught of the enemy 
Capt. Brett was killed and Lieut. Ruliffson received 
a clip over the head with a sabre. The rebel force 
outnumbering our troops, the command fell back 
about a mile when they encountered a Union force 
consisting of a regiment of infantry on their way to 
Martinsburg. The situation was quickly explained 



34 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

to the colonel of the regiment who urged forward 
his men, and on arriving at Newtown a charge was 
made which ended in the complete rout of the enemy, 
the recapture of the train, and the recovery of the 
body of Capt. Brett. During the charge L,ieut. Hurd 
captured the noted guerrilla, Harry Gilmour, but he 
managed to escape during the melee. Several of the 
15th were taken prisoners, among them being Sam- 
uel Webber of Co. Land George Sturdevant of Co. I, 
who subsequently died at Andersonville. The com- 
mand retraced their steps to Martinsburg and in the 
course of a few days again started for the front, 
rejoining the regiment on the night of June 5th. In 
this affair the 15th lost sixteen in wounded and 
missinof. 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 35 



CHAPTER VI. 

A Forward Movement— The Battle of New Market Repulse of 
the Union Forces— The Gallant Stand made by the Second 
Squadron of the Fifteenth— Gen. Sigel Superseded by Gen. 
Hunter— Another Advance Ordered— Capt. Auer Taken Pris- 
oner—The Battle of Piedmont— The Enemy Routed— The Af- 
fair at Waynesboro— The Fifteenth Hold in Check a Large 
Force of the Enemy— Complimented by Gen. Duffle— The Bat- 
tle of Lynchburg— Disastrous Retreat of Our Forces— A Skir- 
mish at Salem— Hardships and Privations— Arrival at Park- 
ers burg. 

y^TO return to the operations of the main army. On 
\£J the 9th of May another forward movement was 
made and the army went into camp the first night 
on the banks of Cedar Creek. Companies A, C, and 
D, were detailed for picket duty at Front Royal. 

May nth. — Resuming the march, Woodstock was 
reached where the troops went into camp and remain- 
ed there several days. The weather was very disa- 
greeable, and to make matters worse rations and for- 
age were scarce. 

May 12th. — A detail of the 15th was sent out in 
the direction of Front Royal on a reconnoisance. 

May 14th. — Capt. Auer with a detachment of the 
15th left camp and proceeded in the direction of New 
Market. They soon became engaged with the 



36 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

enemy's pickets, but not wishing to bring on a gen- 
eral engagement they returned to camp. 

On the morning of the 15th boots and saddles 
was sounded at an early hour, and the army moved 
out with drums beating and flags flying. The ad- 
vance guard soon came upon the enemy's pickets who 
slowly retired disclosing to view a large force of reb- 
els. The troops were quickly formed in line, artillery 
was brought up, and the battle of New Market open- 
ed. The contest raged furiously nearly all day, nei- 
ther side gaining any decided advantage, when for 
some unaccountable reason our forces were obliged to 
retreat with a loss of nearly 1,000 in killed, wounded 
and missing. 

The second squadron of the 15th made a gallant 
stand at Rude's Hill during the retreat, but being 
overpowered were forced to give way. They made 
for the bridge crossing the river amid a perfect show- 
er of shot and shell. No sooner had the last man 
crossed over the structure than the engineers applied 
the torch to prevent further pursuit. The 15th lost 
in wounded and missing 21. 

The retreat was kept up all night, the 15th act- 
ing as rearguard, until Strasburg was reached, where 
the weary troops halted and went into camp. 

Gen. Sigel was soon afterward relieved and Gen. 
Hunter took command. He found the army some- 
what demoralized from their recent defeat and sadly 
deficient in shoes and arms. He immediately pro- 
ceeded to reorganize his forces for another forward 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 37 

movement. Reinforcements were constantly arriv- 
ing and soon he had an army of from 12,000 to 15,000 
men. The weather at this time was beautiful, and 
the men soon regained their wonted cheerfulness and 
were ready and eager to try conclusions with the foe 
again. Rations were very scarce and foraging par- 
ties were sent out in every direction to scour the 
country, but they invariably returned empty handed, 
as the ground had been pretty well gone over by the 
two opposing armies. 

May 19th. — A detail of thirty men from the 15th 
were sent to guard a wagon train to Martinsburg, 
and a detail sent to Front Royal on picket. While 
there Mosby's guerrillas swooped down on them on 
the 22d and succeeded in capturing Capt. Auer and 
carrying him off a prisoner, together with eleven men, 
principally from Co. D, and forty-five horses. 

May 26th. — Another forward movement made by 
the army. Encamped for the night at Woodstock. 

May 29th. — Arrived at Mt. Jackson at 2 P. M. 
Our Brigade acted as flankers to-day. 

June 2d. — Left camp at an early hour, passing 
through New Market, the scene of our late disaster, 
and took the road to Harrisonburg, encamping at 
night near that place. We laid here until the morn- 
ing of .the 4th, when we crossed the river at Port Re- 
public on pontoons. The bugler of Co. E drowned 
while fording the river. Captured part of a rebel 
wagon train and burned a woolen factory. 

On the morning of June 5th the rebels, under 



38 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

command of Gen. Jones, were encountered in force 
at a place called Piedmont, when a general engage- 
ment took place, which resulted in the complete rout 
of the enemy. Their loss was about 500 killed, 
(among whom was Gen. Jones), 1,500 wounded, 
about 1,000 taken prisoners, besides several pieces of 
artillery captured. Our loss was about 800 killed 
and wounded. It was a glorious victory and served 
in a measure to wipe out the disgrace of New Market. 

June 6th. — The army moved out early in pursuit 
of the rebels, who continued to fall back as we ad- 
vanced. Took possession of Staunton in the after- 
noon. 

June 7th. — At 10 A. m. the 15th was sent off in 
the direction of Buffalo Gap, encountering the forces 
of Gen. Averill and Crook who had been operating 
in southwestern Virginia. Returned at night to 
Staunton and went into camp. Capt. Moschell and 
three of his men taken prisoners. 

June 8th. — Troops engaged all day in destroying 
railroad property. 

June 10th. — Boots and saddles rang out early, 
and the cavalry division, under command of Gen. 
Duffle, started off on a reconnoisance. Col. Richard- 
son was ordered by Gen. Duffle to take his regiment 
and hasten with all possible speed to Waynesboro as 
if intending to go through the gap as the vanguard 
of an army, and at all hazards prevent the enemy 
from following up our army and attacking it in the 
rear, and if it became necessary to engage the enemy 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 39 

even if he knew it to be a desperate and hopeless 
fight. 

The regiment, numbering about 300 men, fell 
out of line and started at once on its mission. The 
surface of the country was rolling and we found 
heavy hills on our way. Several squads of the enemy 
were encountered on our march concealed behind 
barricades who kept up a lively fusilade on the ad- 
vance guard, but they succeeded finally in clearing 
the route. 

Arriving in front of the town we discovered 
the enemy. A force of about seventy-five men were 
thrown out on the skirmish line, dismounted, and 
their horses left behind with the main body of the 
regiment. The skirmish line occupied a ridge in 
plain view of the town and also the enemy, but the 
reserves could not be seen from the town nor by the 
enemy, being concealed behind a ridge. A sharp 
fusilade was kept up between the opposing forces for 
several hours, the enemy occasionally sending their 
compliments in solid shot. A number of the regi- 
ment had already been wounded and the officers 
begged the colonel to order a charge, he assuring 
them he would do so when the proper time arrived. 
The situation was becoming exceedingly critical. 
The enemy outnumbered us six to one, and if they 
chose could have soon annihilated the little band 
confronting them, or compelled them to flee for their 
lives. But so long as the enemy made no move to 
advance the boys held their ground. Suddenly a 



40 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

commotion was discovered in the enemy's camp, and 
it was seen that they were retreating through the 
gap in great haste, having learned that the main body 
of our army would soon be in their rear. 

The object of the recounoissance having been ac- 
complished the regiment retreated and soon regained 
the main road, and after some seven or eight hours 
of constant marching rejoined the division encamped 
on the other side of the mountain. Although it was 
after midnight when the regiment reached camp Gen. 
Duffie was awakened and acquainted of our safe ar- 
rival and of the work performed. His joy knew no 
bounds, for he told the colonel he never expected to 
see the regiment again. He complimented the of- 
ficers and men in glowing terms, and ever afterwards 
exhibited a marked partiality for the regiment. 

Nineteen of the regiment were reported wounded 
and missing in this affray. Iyieut. Ruliffson's horse 
was severely wounded in the jaw. 

June nth. — In the saddle all day and at night 
encamped on the banks of the river near Ty Mills. 
Sergeant Putney of Co. F killed by our own pickets. 

June 1 2th. — Made another march of over twenty 
miles and encamped at a place called White's Gap for 
the night. Three men of the regiment were wound- 
ed during the day. 

June 13th. — Gen. Hunter's forces occupied Lex- 
ington, at which place our division joined him. 

June 14th. — Another hard day's inarch. The 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 41 

weather being extremely hot, men and horses suffer- 
ed intensely. Reached Buchanan late at night. 

June 15th. — Forded the river at an early hour, 
ascended the mountain, and at midnight encamped 
on its highest summit, called Otter Peak. The 
scenery at daylight was magnificent. 

June 16th. — Left camp early and after a fatigu- 
ing march under a broiling sun, encamped for the 
night about five miles beyond Liberty. Heavy firing 
heard in the direction of Lynchburg. 

June 17th. — Resumed the march in the direction 
of Lynchburg. Nearing that place we encountered 
the rebels who seemed disposed to dispute our further 
progress, but we held our ground and concluded to 
stay there all night. 

June 1 8th. — The battle of Lynchburg, Va., was 
fought. The Union forces were commanded by Gen. 
Hunter and the rebels by Gen. McCausland, who 
were strongly intrenched. Several assaults were 
made by our troops but they were repulsed in every 
instance. The enemy receiving heavy reinforce- 
ments during the day from Richmond our forces were 
obliged to retreat and they fell back to Liberty. The 
Union loss was about 1,000 in killed, wounded and 
missing. The rebel loss was much less, the}' being 
protected behind intrenchments. The 15th came in 
for their full share of glory, losing 32 in killed, 
wounded and missing. Our position was on the left 
of the line. 

June 19th. — The retreat was kept up during the 



42 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

day, the Fifteenth acting as rear guard. Finding es_ 
cape down the valley cut off there was no alternative 
for the army but to make its way across the moun- 
tains and so on in the direction of Parkersburg. The 
men were in the saddle all day and all night, when 
about daylight a halt was called to allow the men and 
horses to obtain a little rest. Rations had now begun 
to grow scarce with no prospects of obtaining any 
more just then. 

June 20th. — Still on the retreat with the 15th 
acting as rearguard to the wagon train. Another all 
night march. 

June 21st. — Reached a place called Salem where 
a brief halt was made, but the rebels making things 
too lively the retreat was resumed, the rear guard con- 
tinually skirmishing with the enemy. A few miles 
beyond Salem it became necessary to abandon eight 
pieces of artillery and also destroy a large quantity 
of ammunition. Another siege of it ail night and 
on the morning of the 22d the command reached a 
place called Fin castle, which was found to be in pos- 
session of Major Hyde of the 15th who had gone on 
ahead with a squadron of cavalry. 

June 23. — The different squadrons of the 15th 
having been separated for a few days past were at 
last reunited and passing through Fincastle, encamp- 
ed for the night at Sweet Sulphur Springs. 

June 24th. — Lay at this place all day unmolested 
and at 6 P. M. took up the line of march, traveling 
all night. 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 43 

June 25th.— Arriving at Lewisburg, Gen. Hunter's 
forces divided. The infantry go to Martinsburg, 
Averill and Crook to Beverly, and Duffle's forces, in 
which the 15th are, go to Charleston. 

June 26th. — At 5 p. m. boots and saddles sounded 
and the weary column was off again. A halt was 
called at midnight as human endurance was at its 
limit. Rations and forage, there were none to speak 
of. Roots and berries was the chief subsistence of 
the men. 

June 27th. — Daylight found us in the saddle 
again plodding our weary way over the mountains. 
Haifa day's rations of coffee and sugar were issued 
to the command, the first since June 14th. 

June 28th. — After drawing two day's rations of 
hard tack the march was resumed at 6 A. m., and after 
traveling all day arrived in the vicinity of Gauley 
Bridge and went into camp. 

June 29th. — No marching to-day. What few 
men and horses were left were completely played out. 
Nothing worthy of note transpired. 

June 30th. — Broke camp, forded the river, and 
went into camp at a place called Loup Creek. 

July 1st. — Off again, and at 2 p. m. reached the 
headwaters of . navigation on the Kanawha river. 
What a relief, and what a shout went up, knowing 
for a certainty that we were out of the wilderness. 

July 2d. — Broke camp at 6 A. M. and arrived at 
Charleston in the afternoon and lay here during the 
3d. The dismounted men were sent off to the dis- 



44 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

mounted camp. The men were gladdened by re- 
ceiving their mail, the first they had received since 
leaving Staunton. 

July 4th. — Independence Day but no celebration 
for us. Left Charleston for Parkersburg at 2 p. m., 
acting as an escort to the artillery. Traveled fifteen 
miles before we went into camp. 

July 5th. — After a march of twenty-five miles to- 
day we encamped at Ripley Creek. 

July 6th — Resumed the march and at sundown 
of July 7th reached Parkersburg where we were kept 
busy all night loading the horses on the cars for a run 
down the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. 



FIFTEENTH NEW Vo?" CAVALRY. 45 



CHAPTER VII. 

Back to the Valley Again—Lieut. Shearer Murdered— Tracks 
Tom I T p— Engagements at Martinsburg, Snicker's Cap, Ber- 
ry's Ford, Ashby's Gap, Winchester and Charleston u 
Scouting Through Maryland and up into Pennsylvania— The 
Inhabitants Treat The Men to Soft II read and other Luxuries 
— flack Again to Virginia— Mosby's Guerrillas Committing 
Depredations— The Regiment Reduced to Seventy- Tree Mount- 
ed Men— Sent to Cumberland, Md., to Recruit Up. 

WHILE en route to Cumberland, Md., on the 
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, (July 8th), Lieut. 
Shearer, of Co. B was brutally murdered by one 
of his own company. Arrived at Cumberland at 
daylight on July 9th and turned over the murderer to 
the Provost Marshal. The train then proceeded on 
its way, but on arriving at Cherry Run could go no 
farther as the tracks had been torn up by the rebels. 
The horses were unloaded and were found to be more 
dead than alive after their close confinement. After 
a brief rest boots and saddles was sounded at 10 P. m. 
and the regiment started off for an all night march. 
Passed through Hedgesville at daylight on the roth 
and took the road leading to Marti nsburg. The effec- 
tive strength of the regiment at this time was 125 
men. 



46 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

On nearing Martinsburg Col. Richardson detail- 
ed Lieut. Hurd and a half dozen men to make a re- 
connoissance and discover whether the town was in 
possession of the rebels or not. Leaving the main 
road they managed by following up ravines and along- 
side of hedge fences to gain a point near the main 
street without being discovered. The squad imme- 
diately charged down the street and discovering a 
number of Johnnies skedaddling out of the houses 
pursued them and succeeded in capturing seven of 
them. The balance of the command having arrived, 
and learning that the rebels were encamped in force 
just west of the town, Colonel Richardson decided 
that discretion was the better part of valor and with- 
drew a few miles farther back, having obtained all 
the information necessary. 

Early the next morning, July nth, the command 
again advanced on Martinsburg and succeeded in 
scooping in a few more of the enemy. One of them 
was audacious enough to try conclusions with Lieut. 
Hurd, but the latter not wishing to die yet gave the 
rebel a dose that required the immediate aid of a 
surgeon and a few days later that of an undertaker. 
The lieutenant (who afterwards became a captain) in 
referring to this episode modestly avers that it was 
the only rebel he was positively sure of killing dur- 
ing the war. The command went into camp on a 
Mr. Faulkner's estate and remained there for several 
days doing picket duty and scouting. During the 
day Col. Richardson was placed under arrest by order 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 47 

of Gen. Sullivan on a trivial charge, but Gen. Duffie 
learning- of it speedily had him released by order of 
Gen. Hunter, and Gen. Sullivan himself sent to the 
rear. 

July 14th. — The regiment moved to Bolivar 
Heights and on the 15th crossed the river at Harper's 
Ferry and went to Sandy Hook. Drew rations, cross- 
ed the river again at Berlin and went into camp at 
Hillsborough, Loudon county, Va. 

July 1 6th. — The regiment acted as advance 
guard for a brigade of infantry during the day and 
night following, and at daylight on the morning of 
the 17th halted for a brief rest. At 10 a.m., the 
march was resumed. x\t Snicker's Gap we had a little 
skirmish with the Johnnies losing four men. As it 
was impossible to ford the river here the command 
fell back a short distance and bivouacked for the night. 

July [8th. — Off in the direction of Ashby's Gap. 
As the column went through the Gap and down to 
the river the artillery was in the road, the 15th New 
York Cavalry on the right of the road inarching pla- 
toon front, and the 20th Pennsylvania Cavalry was 
on the left of the road, inarching in the same order. 
The column had nearly reached the ford when the 
rebels on the opposite side of the river opened up 
with grape and canister. The 20th Pennsylvania 
scattered like sheep and ran back up the hill, and did 
not show up again. The two advance companies of 
the 15th (F and H), were ordered to cross the road 
and take up a position that should have been held by 



48 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

the runaways. In doing so several of Co. H's men 
were wounded, as was also Lieut. Phillips. They 
held the position until the next morning before they 
were recalled, only to find out that orders had been 
given the day before to an officer of the 20th Penn- 
sylvania to relieve the 15th, but his excuse was that 
it was too hot down there for him. Lieut. Hurd, in 
the presence of Gen. Duffie and staff and the rest of 
the 20th Pennsylvania, called the said officer a "cow- 
ardly s — n of a b — h." Said officer was cashiered and 
dismissed from the service shortly afterwards. The 
total casualties of the 15th were sixteen men wound- 
ed and missing. 

July 19th. — The command resumed its march and 
attempted to cross the river at Berry's Ford, but 
found it impossible on account of the vigorous oppo- 
sition of the enemy. Acting Lieut. Hatch was 
wounded during the day. The regiment was out on 
picket all night. 

July 20th. — Relieved from picket by the 21st 
New York Cavalry and fell back to Paris, where we 
encamped all night, and on the 21st moved to Snick- 
er's Gap and so on to Winchester, which place we 
reached on the 22d. Ambulances were sent back to 
Berry's Ford under an escort of the 15th in command 
of Capt. A. O. Skiff to bring in the wounded in the 
affair of July 19th. 

July 23d. — A small skirmish took place near 
Winchester, but the 15th being off on the right of the 
army took no active part in it. 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 49 

On Sunday, July 24th, the rebel forces under 
Gen. Early moved down upon our army, composed of 
Gens. Crook and Averill's cavalry and a small force 
of infantry, and made a furious onslaught on our po- 
sition. Our troops fought bravely, but being largely 
outnumbered were compelled to retreat with a loss of 
1,200 killed, wounded and missing. The brave Col. 
Mulligan of the Union army was killed during the 
day. The retreat was kept up all night, the enemy 
closely pursuing us, the 15th having a lively skirmish 
with their advance guard on the outskirts of Martins- 
burg. The rebels giving us no rest, we continued to 
fall back until Williamsport was reached, where we 
snatched a few hours' rest and then resumed the re- 
treat as far as Sheperdstown and halted for the night. 
Our casualties for the two days were 15 killed, 
wounded and missing. 

July 27th.— Went from Sheperdstown to Pleas- 
ant Valley. 

July 28th.— Moved again and went to the vicin- 
ity of Charlestown. From this time until August 2d 
the regiment was moving from one point to another, 
and at the date mentioned above found ourselves at 
Hagerstown, Md. From thence it moved to Clear 
Springs. At daylight on the morning of the 3d of 
August it proceeded to near Hancock, Md., where We 
remained until the 4th and then went back to Clear 
Springs. We lay there until the 6th when we sad- 
dled up and went to McConnellsburg. The men be- 
ing without rations, the loyal citizens of the place 



50 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

supplied them with soft bread and other luxuries. At 
3 p. m. of the 7th we were off for Hancock again, 
reaching there after dark and going into camp. After 
a couple of days' rest another move was made in the 
direction of Harper's Ferry. 

August nth. — Reveille was sounded at 4 A. m., 
and the march was resumed. The tow-path of the 
canal was taken, and after a fatiguing march reached 
Harper's Ferry at sundown and went into camp near 
Halltown. 

August 13th. — The regiment was again on the 
move. Its effective force consisted of seventy-five 
mounted men for duty under command of Lieut.-Col. 
Root and the following company officers : Capts. 
Hathaway and Skiff, and Lieuts. Maxwell and Cam- 
eron. Winchester was reached at night and on the 
morning of the 14th the command passed through 
Newtown and encamped between that place and Mid- 
dletown. Mosby's guerrillas were committing dep- 
redations in that neighborhood, having captured and 
burned a wagon train a few days before near Berry- 
ville. On the morning of the 15th the march was 
resumed, the command arriving at Middletown at 3 
p. m., from which point the 15th were ordered back 
to Berryville where it remained for several days. 

August 1 8th. — Moved camp to Charlestown. 
Strict orders were issued to allow no one out of camp, 
as Mosby was raiding between there and Harper's 
Ferry destroying supply trains and gobbling up 
stragglers. We laid here until the 21st when we 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 51 

broke camp and proceeded in the direction of Shep- 
herdstown, having a slight skirmish with the en- 
emy en route. Skirmishing was kept up the next 
day and we were forced to retrace our steps as the 
Johnnies were showing up in strong force. We reach- 
ed Halltown and from there went to Point of Rocks. 
On the 24th and 25th the regiment was maneuvering 
from one point to another, but it had become so 
reduced in numbers that active operations on its part 
had to cease. 

August 30th. — The few mounted men that re- 
mained and the dismounted men left camp and after 
several davs' march arrived at Ha<rerstown, Md. 
Here we boarded the cars en route for Cumberland, 
Md., where we arrived on Saturday, Sept. 3d, 1864, 
and pitched camp. 

Thus ended a long and tedious campaign which 
commenced on May 9th. The regiment had traveled 
in all over 3,000 miles and had been engaged in over 
twenty battles and skirmishes. 



52 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

/;/ Camp at Cumberland— A Beautiful Location— An Occasional 
Drill — Receiving Horses — Execution of a Murderer — Politi- 
cal Excitement— The Men Discuss Their Favorites for Presi- 
d en l — Casting Their Votes— The Paymaster's Welcome Visit — 
The Fight at Green Springs Run — Death of Lieut. Hatch- 
Break Camp Again - Cold Weather— Distressing Accident — 
The Shenandoah Valley — The View from Maryland Heights. 

TfHE men hardly knew how to act. They had 
\G) been so long used to being called up at all hours 

of the night to start off on a march or a scout 
that they could scarcely realize that their marches 
and skirmishes were over for the present. Our camp 
was located just across the river from Cumberland on 
a knoll overlooking the place. The Baltimore & 
Ohio railroad ran alongside the camp. The location 
was a beautiful one. Cumberland was a village of 
about 6,000 or 7,000 inhabitants at that time and was 
a place of considerable importance during the war. 

The men soon settled down to the usual routine 
of camp life which was varied occasionally by com- 
pany or battalion drill on foot. Guards were station- 
ed at the railroad bridge and on the road leading to 
town to pick up all stragglers from camp who were 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 53 

without passes. Those who were so unfortunate as 
not to have one were confined in the guard house or 
were set to work picking up stones around the camp 
for a day or two as a mild form of punishment. 

Great pride was taken in fixing up the tents 
and keeping the grounds clean, and everything was 
as comfortable as could be. Horses were continually 
arriving and were apportioned off to the different 
companies, and soon the regiment began to put on 
its old warlike appearance. Company commanders 
were kept busy in making out their ordnance and 
clothing rolls, which was not an easy task after their 
arduous campaign of the past summer. Good news 
was occasionally received from General Sheridan's 
forces, then operating in the valley, which served to 
keep the men in the best of spirits and eager to take 
a hand again in the fracas. 

On September 30th the regiment was ordered out 
to witness the execution of Joseph Prevost, a member 
of the First New York Cavalry, which occurred on 
the outskirts of the town in the presence of a large 
crowd of soldiers and civilians. A detail of the Fif- 
teenth acted as a guard from the jail to the place of 
execution. The condemned man bravely mounted 
the steps, the rope was adjusted, the trap sprung, 
when to the horror of the spectators the rope broke 
letting the man fall heavily to the ground. He ap- 
peared dazed at first but soon recovered and with the 
aid of assistants remounted the scaffold. The rope 
was again adjusted and he was launched into eterui- 



54 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

ty. The troops were then marched back to their re- 
spective camps and dismissed. 

Politics now began to engross the attention of 
the soldiers, as by a law of Congress the troops at the 
front, or those of age, were allowed to cast their votes 
the same as if they were at home, the only difference 
being that their ballots were put in an envelope, seal- 
ed up, and sent to some responsible person in their 
native place, designated by them, who took and saw 
it deposited in the ballot box on election day. 

The claims of the various candidates for presi- 
dent (Lincoln and McClellan) were eloquently set 
forth by the champions of both parties, and many 
heated controversies indulged in. On the 13th of 
October some of the companies cast their votes and 
the others a few days later, but all in time enough for 
them to reach their destination and be deposited on 
election day. 

On the 25th of October the paymaster made his 
welcome visit and commenced distributing the green- 
backs. The veterans who had re-enlisted in the 15th 
received their first installment of the bounty promis- 
ed them, if I recollect right, and in consequence had 
quite a snug little sum due them. The clerks at the 
express office in town were kept busy in writing re- 
ceipts for money sent home by the married men to 
their families. The storekeepers also reaped a rich 
harvest in disposing of their wares. Pipes, tobacco, 
pens, paper and envelopes, needles, thread, etc., made 
up the sum total of the necessaries purchased, while 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 55 

the "sweat board' 1 had its admirers and many dollars 
changed hands. 

On the same day that the paymaster made his 
appearance a detail of sixty-eight men from the 
regiment were sent to Green Spring Run, a sta- 
tion several miles east of Cumberland, to guard the 
B. & O. R. R. The force was under the command 
of acting Lieut. Hatch of Co. A. At 2 A. M. on the 
morning of November 1st, just a week after their ar- 
rival, while the men lay asleep in their tents, they 
were suddenly awakened from their slumbers by a 
terrific volley and the bullets came crashing through 
their frail habitations. A force of rebels had suc- 
ceeded in surprising and capturing the pickets before 
they could give the alarm, then following up their 
success took the camp unawares. The men rallied 
as quickly as possible in the darkness and confusion 
and made a vigorous resistance, but the death of 
Lieut. Hatch deprived them of their leader and be- 
coming disheartened were easily taken prisoners. 
The casualties were sixty-four killed, wounded and 
missing, only four managing to escape. The death 
of Lieut. Hatch cast a gloom over the regiment. 
His commission as a lieutenant was received a few 
days after the sad event. 

But the enjoyments and comforts of camp life 
must come to an end sooner or later. The regiment 
having received its full complement of horses and 
part of their arms were ordered on the 16th of No- 
vember to pack up and get ready for another move. 



56 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

November 17th. — Left Cumberland at 4 A. m. in 
a drenching rain storm. The men were all in good 
spirits and were eager once more to take an active 
part in putting down the rebellion. We passed 
through Springfield during the afternoon and encamp- 
ed for the night a few miles beyond. Resuming the 
march on the 18th, nightfall found us at a place call- 
ed Bloomery, and on the 19th we reached Martins- 
burg once more, going into camp on a knoll just 
outside of the village. The weather by this time 
had become raw and chilly and the shelter tents with 
which we were provided afforded the men but scant 
protection from the wintry blasts, and in consequence 
they suffered severely. 

November 22d. — Six companies under command 
of Major Hyde left for Winchester in charge of an 
immense wagon train, arriving at their destination in 
safety at 9 p. M. 

November 24th. — The remaining six companies 
left Martinsburg at 10 A. m., and at night went into 
camp at Hall town. The next day they proceeded to 
Harper's Ferry, crossed the river and went into camp 
in Pleasant Valley, Md,, where the rest of the 
regiment rejoined us. 

While lying in camp here a distressing accident 
happened to Myron Ostrander, a member of Co. F. 
On returning to camp from picket duty on the morn- 
ing of November 30th, and while in the act of dis- 
mounting, the hammer of his carbine got caught in 
some manner, causing the weapon to be discharged. 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 57 

The bullet lodged in his right leg causing an ugly 
looking wound and necessitating amputation of the 
limb. 

We remained in Pleasant Valley until December 
3d when we moved camp to Charlestown, Va., and 
on the following day passed through Winchester and 
went into camp a few miles beyond. 

To the lovers of nature, the Shenandoah Valley 
presents an ever varied scene of beauty. From the 
summit of Maryland heights the view is magnificent. 
In the distance one can see Martinsburg, Charlestown 
and Winchester ; beneath lies the historic town of 
Harper's Ferry, while the Potomac river, whose 
waters have been dyed crimson with the blood of 
brave men on both sides, can be traced for miles up- 
on miles in the distance. To your left towers Lou- 
don Heights dark and gloomy, while at its base flows 
the Shenandoah river. Standing on the shores of 
the Potomac at Point of Rocks on a moonlight night 
and looking up towards the valley, the scene is one 
of the most magnificent that one can imagine. 



58 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 



CHAPTER IX. 

At Winchester— The Regiment Assigned to the Second Brigade, 
Third Division— The Fight at Lacy Springs — Bitter Cold 
Weather— Hands and Feet Frozen — Christmas in Camp — 
Winter Quarters — Deserters Shot — Furloughs Given — Col. 
Richardson Resigns — General Sheridan Reviews the Cavalry 
— Snowball Fight — Sharpening Sabres — Orders Issued For a 
Forward Movement. 

0N the fifth of December the regiment was re- 
viewed by Gen. Chapman, and we were assign- 
ed to the Second Brigade, Third Division, com- 
manded by Gen. Geo. A. Custer. The brigade was 
composed of the 8th, 15th and 22d New York, 1st 
Vermont and 1st New Hampshire cavalry, regiments 
that had participated in many a hard fought battle, 
and was commanded by Brig. Gen. Wm, Wells. 

The Third Cavalry division was reorganized in 
the spring of 1864, just before the Wilderness cam- 
paign. The second brigade consisted of the follow- 
ing regiments : 8th New York, 1st Vermont, portions 
of the 3d Indiana and 1st New Hampshire, under 
the command of Col. J. H. Chapman of the 3d 
Indiana. The division was under the command of 
Gen. Jas. H. Wilson. At the battle of Winchester 
(Sept. 19, 1864) Gen. Chapman (who had been pro- 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 59 

moted) was wounded and left the command, only to 
return for a few days, when he was assigned to the 
command of Gen. Averill's division. At the time 
Gen. Chapman was wounded, Col. Win. Wells, of 
the ist Vermont, succeeded to the command of the 
Second Brigade, and remained its commander until 
the close of the war. In November, 1864, Gen. 
Wilson was retired and Gen. Custer took command 
of the division. In December the 15th and 22d 
New York joined the brigade. What became of the 
remnant of the 3d Indiana your historian lias failed 
to find out. 

The weather was very cold at this time, the snow 
being four inches deep on the level. Numerous 
sleigh rides were indulged in by the officers and men, 
all sorts of contrivances being invented to ride in. 
The pike offered a splendid place to try the speed of 
their horses. 

On the 14th of December, Capt. B. N. Hurd, 
who was then in command of Co. G, was mustered 
out of the service, and shortly after left for home. 
By his bravery on many a well contested battle-field 
and by his gentlemanly deportment he had endeared 
himself to the members of his company, and in fact 
to the whole regiment, and they were loth to part 
with him. 

December 19th. — Boots and saddles sounded 
before daylight and the division started off on a re- 
connoissance up the valley. Passing through New- 
town, Middletown and Strasburg the command halt- 



60 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

ed for the night at Woodstock. Resuming the march 
on the morning of the 20th they reached New Market 
and thence proceeded to Lacey Springs where the 
command halted for the night, the Second brigade 
encamping in a field on the right of the pike. 

The morning of December 21st was anything 
but pleasant for the men and horses. It commenced 
raining during the night and towards morning it 
changed into a blinding snow storm. Boots and 
saddles sounded about 5 A. M. Not over five minutes 
had elapsed after the call was sounded, before the 
well known rebel yell was heard and the clatter of 
hoofs coming down the pike. The men of the 8th 
New York cavalry were in the act of mounting their 
horses when the Johnnies made their appearance. 
Their sudden onslaught threw them into momentary 
confusion, as well as the rest of the brigade, but 
quickly rallying, although it was almost impossible 
to distinguish friend from foe, they charged the 
enemy and succeeded in routing them with quite 
heavy loss. The casualties of the 15th were twenty- 
nine killed, wounded and missing. L,ieut.-Col. 
Root had a narrow escape, a bullet grazing his fore- 
head. The attacking force was Rosser's and Payne's 
brigades of cavalry. 

An amusing incident occurred to a member of 
the regiment during the fracas. In the confusion the 
man got his poncho on wrong. A rebel rode up be- 
side him and seized hold of it intending to pull him 
from his horse and take him prisoner, but the poncho 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 61 

gave way and he managed to escape. He avers to 
this day that if it had been put on right he would 
surely have been captured. 

The objects of the expedition having been accom- 
plished the command retraced its steps to Woodstock, 
the enemy constantly harassing the rear guard. The 
weather became intensely cold, and before reaching 
Woodstock a large number of the men had their 
hands, ears and feet frozen. The inarch was resumed 
the next morning and our old camp near Winchester 
was once more occupied. The suffering endured on 
that raid will ever remain fresh in the memory of 
those who participated in it. The pickets were 
relieved every hour to prevent their freezing to death 
on their posts. 

Christmas was a cold cheerless day. How the 
thoughts of the men turned to the loved ones at home 
gathered about the cheerful firesides and wishing that 
they too might be numbered among them. But it 
was not to be, and so they made the most of their 
cheerless surroundings. The only present the men 
received was a gill of whiskey to eacli man. Those 
not addicted to the use of it gave it away, sold it or 
threw it upon the ground, while those whose appe- 
tites craved for it had a high old time. 

December 26th. — Gen. Torbert with the First 
and Second Divisions started off on a reconnoissance. 
Good news was received from Gen. Sherman's anny. 

December 2Mb. — The regiment moved camp 
about a mile and received orders to go into winter 



62 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

quarters. The men immediately went to work con- 
structing log huts for themselves and stables for the 
horses. Nearly every hut had a fireplace in it and 
bunks for the accommodation of four, which gener- 
ally constituted the mess, and when finished were as 
cosy and comfortable as any one could wish for. The 
camp was named Camp Russell. 

Nothing of importance occurred until January 
6th, when the troops were ordered out to witness the 
shooting of two deserters belonging to the 3d New 
Jersey cavalry. The scene was one calculated to im- 
press itself on every one present, but they richly de- 
served their fate as they were captured while trying 
to desert to the enemy. 

The weather continued cold, making picket duty 
anything but agreeable. Orders were received, from 
headquarters allowing a limited number of furloughs 
to be granted in each regiment, and those who were 
so fortunate to obtain one availed themselves of the 
opportunity to visit home before active operations in 
the field commenced. 

January 19th. — Col. Richardson resigns and Col. 
John J. Coppinger takes command. 

February 1st. — All of the cavalry in the depart- 
ment of the Shenandoah were reviewed by Gen. P. 
H. Sheridan. About 10,000 participated, making a 
brilliant spectacle. 

February 2d. — The 15th received Sharp's car- 
bines, and were then fully armed and equipped. 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 



65 



February 17th.— The regiment had a snowball 
fight with the 8th New York cavalry, and the next 
day turned their attention to the 1st Vermont cavalry, 
driving them out of their camp and causing them to 
surrender. 

On the 24th and 25th of February the regiment 
was busily engaged in sharpening their sabres, an 
indication that hostilities were to begin soon. Orders 
were also received to pack up and be ready for another 
move. Five days rations of pork and hard tack with 
ten of coffee and sugar were issued to each man and 
each horse was to carry thirty pounds of grain. 

February 26th.— The Third Division was review- 
ed by Gen. Geo. A. Custer, and orders issued to bri- 
gade and regimental commanders for a forward move- 
ment the next day. 



66 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 



CHAPTER X. 

The Great Raiding Column Moves — The Fight at IVaynesboro— 
Tearing up Railroad Tracks — Skirmish at Ashland — Arrival 
at White House Landing — The Victory at Five Forks — The 
Johnnies on the Run — The Fight at Appomattox Station — 
The Fifteenth Captures Seventeen Pieces of Artillery— Death 
of Lieutenant-Colonel Root — The Surrender — Custer's Fare- 
well Address. 

N the 27th day of February, 1865, the great raid- 
ing column was set in motion. The force con- 
sisted of two divisions of cavalry — Devin's and 
Custer's — and comprised a force of 9,484 men. Cus- 
ter's division consisted of three brigades, commanded 
by Wells, Pennington and Capehart. The weather 
was beautiful overhead, the men in good spirits at 
the prospect of sharp and decisive work before them 
under the leadership of the gallant Custer, and every- 
thing augured well for a short and brilliant campaign. 
The 22d New York was detached from our brigade 
and left to guard Winchester. 

All day long the steady clatter of hoofs were 
heard as the column swept forward up the valley. 
Nothing of interest occurred during the day. Occa- 
sionally small squads of rebels were to be seen to the 
right or left, but they served to keep the men from 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 67 

straggling and no notice was taken of them. Wood- 
stock was reached and the troops halted for the night. 

February 28th. — The march was resumed early. 
The weather had suddenly become stormy and disa- 
greeable. While passing through New Market, men 
were detailed to cut the telegraph wires. Lacey 
Springs was reached for the end of the second day's 
march. 

March 1st. — Arrived at Staunton after a hard 
day's march. The men raided quite a number of 
houses in search of eatables. 

March 2d. — The Third Division had the advance 
to-day, for there was work to do, and Gen. Sheridan 
knew that Custer was the one to do it. Gen. Early 
was reported to be at Waynesboro, seventeen miles 
distant, eager for a fight. The weather was stormy 
and the road from Staunton to Waynesboro was knee 
deep with mud, the hard valley pike terminating at 
the former place. But this was no obstacle to the 
dashing Custer. Forward was the word. Waynes- 
boro was reached, Early's forces found entrenched 
behind breastworks, dispositions quickly made to 
attack, and before he knew what had happened he 
was minus eleven guns, 1,600 prisoners and seventeen 
battle flags. The rout was complete, Gen. Early 
himself barely escaped being captured. The 15th 
with two other regiments were sent to operate on the 
flanks of the enemy and contributed materially in 
bringing about the glorious victory. 

March 3d. — The 1st New Hampshire cavalry was 



68 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

detached from our brigade and sent back to Winches- 
ter in charge of the prisoners captured, which left 
only the 8th and 15th New York and 1st Vermont. 
L,eft Waynesboro and arrived at Charlottesville at n 
p. m. in a drenching rain storm. Our forces capture 
a big wagon train from the rebels to-day. 

March 4th. — Lay in camp all day. The regi- 
ment engaged in tearing up railroad tracks and cut- 
ting down telegraph wires and poles. We lay here 
until the 6th when the march was resumed. Strict 
orders were issued against straggling. A distance of 
twenty to twenty-five miles was traveled before a 
halt was called, and this too despite the incessant 
rain and mud. This was kept up until the nth 
when the command halted to give the men and horses 
a chance to get a little much needed rest and to have 
a brigade inspection. 

March 12th. — Resumed the march again, and on 
the 13th the Division was engaged in tearing up the 
tracks of the Virginia Central Railroad. Small squads 
of rebels were continually coming into our lines and 
giving themselves up. 

March 14th. — Within seventeen miles of Rich- 
mond. Another rebel wagon train captured to-day. 

March 15th. — Arrived at Ashland, Va., eight 
miles from Richmond, where we had a skirmish with a 
small force of the enemy, losing two men taken prison- 
ers. We then crossed the South Anna river and burned 
the bridge. Nothing worthy of mention occurred dur- 
ing the next two days, and on the 18th White House 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 69 

Landing was reached and the troops encamped for 
the night. Although the men were tired from their 
constant marching, they must indulge in the sport of 
tossing the contrabands up in their blankets. 

March 19th. — Crossed the Pamunkey river and 
went into camp. 

March 20th. — The regiment went to Cold Har- 
bor, where they surprised a rebel picket post. The 
Johnnies ran for dear life, leaving their guns and 
equipments behind them. Returned to camp the 
next day in a rain storm. The command lay here 
for several days, receiving new horses, drawing ra- 
tions and getting the horses shod. 

March 24th. — Left camp and marched to Jones' 
Bridge, on the Chickahominy. 

March 25th. — Went to within three miles of Har- 
rison's Landing and encamped for the night. News 
received of the capture of 3,000 prisoners by our 
forces in front of Petersburg. 

March 26th. — Cross the James river on pontoons. 

March 27th. — Arrive at Hatcher's Run and go 
into camp, having crossed the Appomattox river. Dur- 
ing the jnarch to-day Petersburg could be seen off to 
the left. The enemy sent us their compliments in 
the shape of shells, which luckily passed over our 
heads, but they made some of the men change color. 

March 28th. — The day passed without any event 
of importance. The men who had become dismount- 
ed on the raid rejoined the regiment. 



70 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

March 29th. — Broke camp and continued the 
march, which was kept up all day and night. 

March 30th. — The rain was pouring down in tor- 
rents and the roads were one sea of mud. At noon 
we again took up the line of march, but after pro- 
ceeding a mile or two were halted and sent out on 
picket and the wagon train allowed to pass. 

March 31st. — Another rainy day. The wagon 
trains still passing. Heavy firing heard in front. 
Had a slight skirmish with the enemy at Dinwiddie 
Court House. 

April 1st. — This was a glorious day for the men 
of the Third Division, for to-day they proved once 
more their title as being the "fighting division." Af- 
ter being relieved from picket and the wagon train 
out of the way, the Second Brigade was ordered to 
the front, the 15th in the advance. The enemy, un- 
der command of Gen. Pickett, were found strongly 
entrenched at a place called Five Forks. His force 
consisted of infantry and cavalry. The brigade 
charged the works twice, but were repulsed both 
times. At this juncture Gen. Sheridan and staff rode 
on the field. His presence acted like a charm. Cus- 
ter rode out in front of his men and gave the signal, 
and away they went with a rush and a yell to the 
lively strains of a band of music. They were met 
by a withering fire from the enemy, but nothing could 
check them, and over the breastworks they went and 
the victory was ours. Pickett's infantry was annihi- 
lated, and he was shorn of his command. His cav- 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 71 

airy scattered in every direction. The 15th lost 
eight men killed, wounded and missing. Our troops 
encamped for the night in the abandoned works. 

April 2 d.— Broke camp at 6 A. m., Custer's 
division being in the advance, and marched in the 
direction of the South Side railroad. Had a slight 
skirmish with the enemy at Kepponeck creek. 
Camped for the night near Appomattox river. 

April 3d.— The Second Brigade in the advance 
to-day. We overtook the rebels at Namozine and 
drove them over five miles, capturing several pieces 
of artillery and hundreds of prisoners, among whom 
were Gen. Barrenger and staff. We went into 
camp for the night at Amelia Court House. News 
was received that Petersburg and Richmond were 
taken, which caused great rejoicing in camp. The 
end was drawing near. 

April 4th.— In the saddle early and after the flee- 
ing enemy, who kept up a lively skirmish with our 
advance guard all day long. A brief halt was made 
in the afternoon, but at night were again on the 
move, and on the morning of the 5th arrived at Jet- 
tersville where we remained all day, being sent out 
on the skirmish line. 

April 6th.— Part of the Third Division, includ- 
ing the 15th, were operating on the flanks of the 
enemy to-day, and therefore were not participants in 
the brilliant affair at Sailor's Creek, in which the 
rest of the division was engaged together with the 
Sixth Corps, and which resulted in the capture of 



72 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

over 7,000 prisoners, thirty-seven battle flags, and a 
large number of guns. We encamped for the night 
near Deatonsville, passing over the battlefield during 
the day. 

April 7th. — On the march all day in the direc- 
tion of Lynchburg. It was a tedious march. Gen. 
Gregg of the Union Army captured to-day. 

April 8th. — Got an early start and came up with 
the enemy at Appomattox Station. Our division 
charged and captured twenty-five pieces of artillery, 
a large wagon train, and four trains of cars laden 
with supplies, the 15th losing two men killed during 
the day. Our regiment covered itself with glory by 
capturing seventeen pieces of artillery, and being 
complimented later by the following order : 

Headquarters Second Brigade, 
Third Cavalry Division, 

June 19th, 1865. 

During the campaign of March and April, 1865, the Fifteenth 
New York Cavalry was present at the undermentioned engage- 
ments under command of Col. John J. Coppenger, viz : 

On March 15th at Ashland. 

On April 1st, Battle of Five Forks. 

On April 2d, Battle of Kepponeck Creek. 

On April 3d, Battle of Namozine Church. 

On April 8th, Battle of Appomattox Station, (the regiment 
capturing seventeen guns.) 

On April 9th, Battle of Appomattox Court House. 

Signed, George Matthews, 

A true copy : Capt. and A. A. A. Gen. 

D. C. Shanks, 

2d Lieut. 1 8th Inf., Post Adjutant. 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 73 

But their rejoicing was turned into sorrow in the 
evening. Lieut. -Col. Augustus I. Root, than whom 
no braver man ever drew sword, while out on a rec- 
oil noissance towards the front, accompanied by sever- 
al of his men, was shot down by the enemy in the 
streets of Appomattox in front of the Court House. 
His body was found the morning after the surrender, 
lying in the road where he fell, stripped of all outer 
garments. His remains were temporarily buried near 
by, and eventually taken up and forwarded to Syra- 
cuse, N. Y., where they now repose in that city's 
beautiful cemetery. 

April 9th. — The cavalry corps moved out early. 
The 8th New York, which had the advance, were or- 
dered out as skirmishers, and the balance of the di- 
vision, with Gen. Custer leading and the 15th New 
York in the advance, charged to the front amid a 
shower of bullets. Suddenly making a detour, the 
division came up in the rear of the rebel army and 
were about charging them, when a flag of truce hove 
in sight. Gen. Custer sent the bearer of it to Gen. 
Grant, and while waiting for his return the skirmish- 
ers were driven in by the enemy. The 15th imme- 
diately made a charge and drove the Johnnies pell 
mell, inflicting a heavy loss on them. Again the flag 
of truce appeared when all tumult ceased and the 
announcement was made that Lee was about to sur- 
render. 

The news soon spread from regiment to regiment, 
and from thousands upon thousands of throats went 



74 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

up cheer after cheer. The men danced, hurrahed and 
hugged each other in their delight, for they knew 
that their trials and privations as a soldier were near- 
ing the end. 

In concluding this chapter I find no more appro- 
priate place than this to give Gen. Custer's farewell 
address to his division, issued on the day of the sur- 
render. 

headquarters third cavalry division, 

Appomattox Court House, Va., 

April 9th, 1865. 

Soldiers of the Third Cavaery Division : 

With profound gratitude toward the God of battles, by whose 
blessings our enemies have been humbled and our arms rendered 
triumphant, your Commanding General avails himself of this, his 
first opportunity, to express to you his admiration of the heroic 
manner in which you have passed through the series of battles 
which to-day resulted in the surrender of the enemy's entire army. 

The record established by your indomitable courage is unpar- 
alleled in the annals of war. Your prowess has won for you even 
the respect and admiration of your enemies. During the past six 
months, although in most instances confronted by superior num- 
bers, you have captured from the enemy, in open battle, 1 1 1 pieces 
of field artillery, 65 battle- flags, and upwards of 10,000 prisoners 
of war, including 7 general officers. Within the past ten days, 
and included in the above, you have captured 46 pieces of field 
artillery, and 37 battle-flags. You have never lost a gun, never 
lost a color, and never have been defeated ; and notwithstanding the 
numerous engagements in which you have borne a prominent 
part, including those memorable battles of the Shenandoah, you 
have captured every piece of artillery which the enemy has dared 
to open on you. The near approach of peace renders it improba- 




GENERAL GEO. A. CUSTER. 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 77 

ble that you will again be called upon to undergo the fatigues of 
the toilsome march or the exposure of the battle-field ; but should 
tut assistance of keen blades, wielded by your sturdy arms, be re- 
quired to hasten the coming of that glorious peace for which we 
have been so long contending, the General commanding is proud- 
ly confident that, in the future as in the past, every demand will 
meet with a hearty and willing response. 

Let us hope that our work is done, and that, blessed with the 
comforts of peace, we may be permitted to enjoy the pleasures of 
home and friends. For our comrades who have fallen, let us ever 
cherish a grateful remembrance. To the wounded, and to those 
who languish in Southern prisons, let our heartfelt sympathy be 
tendered. 

And now, speaking for myself alone, when the war is ended 
and the task of the historian begins— when those deeds of daring, 
which have rendered the name and fame of the Third Cavalry Di- 
vision imperishable, are inscribed upon the bright pages of our 
country's history, I only ask that my name may be written as that 
of the Commander of the Third Cavalry Division. 

G. A. CUSTER, 
° fficial : Br evet Major-General Commanding. 

L. W. Barnhart, 

Capt and A. A. A. GenT. 



78 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 



CHAPTER XL 

After the Surrender — Off for North Carolina — The Orders Coun- 
termanded — The March to Washington — In Camp at Bladens- 
burg — The Grand Review — In Virginia Again — Consolidat- 
ed With the Sixth New York Cavalry — Off for Louisville- 
Doing Patrol Duty — Mustered Out-— En route Home — Paid 
off and Disbanded. 

QPRIL ioth. — No rest for the cavalry as we were 
wanted in various directions. Marched all day 
and arrived at Prospect where we encamp for 
the first night out. 

April nth. — Left camp and after a tedious ride 
all day encamped near Bnrkeville. 

April 1 2th. — Reached Burkeville station during 
the day. Drew rations. 

April 13th. — Went from Burkeville to Nottoway 
station. Good news continually being received of 
the surrender of other rebel detachments. 

April 14th. — The artillery fire a salute in honor 
of the old flag being raised over Fort Sumter. 

April 15th. — Still in camp but receive orders to 
move again. 

April 1 6th. — Orders countermanded and we re- 
main in camp. News received of the assassination 
of President Lincoln, which cast a gloom throughout 
the regiment. 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 79 

April 17th. — Broke camp and resumed the march 
and the night of the 18th found us within two miles 
of Petersburg where we went into camp. 

The command lay here for several days to allow 
the men and horses to get some needed rest. Passes 
were issued to those who wished to visit Petersburg 
and quite a number of relics were gathered up and 
sent home by the men. Regimental inspection and 
drilling varied the monotony of camp life. Major 
Roselle was now in command of the regiment. The 
paymaster made us a visit and paid us off, the last 
payment being the October previous. 

April 24th. — Boots and saddles sounded aeain 
and off we go in the direction of North Carolina to 
see about the rebels down there who were not dispos- 
ed to surrender. Passing through Dinwiddie Court 
House during the day we go into camp about 10 p. m. 
after a march of about twenty-five miles. The weather 
very warm. 

April 27th.— Crossed the Roanoke river. News 
received of the surrender of Gen. Johnston's army to 
Gen. Sherman. 

April 28th. — There being no need of our services 
in that direction the column countermarched and 
proceeded in the direction of Petersburg again. 

April 29th. — The column resumed its weary 
inarch after a night's rest. The weather had in the 
meantime become stormy which made traveling any- 
thing but pleasant, but the men were in good spirits 
as their faces were set northward. The daily routine 



80 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

was kept up until May 3d when we again went into 
camp near Petersburg, remaining there for several 
days. The time was whiled away by the men by 
going in swimming, washing clothes, drilling and 
company inspection. 

May 10th. — Forward again, this time in the 
direction of Washington. Passing through Manches- 
ter and Richmond we encamp for the night a few 
miles beyond. Very few white people were to be 
seen on the streets of Richmond while the troops 
were passing through, but there seemed to be no end 
to colored people, who welcomed us with hearty 
cheers and manifestations of pleasure. 

May nth. — A rainy day. Traveled all day be- 
hind a wagon train and of course made slow progress, 
and the command did not halt until one o'clock in 
the morning. 

May 1 2th. — The march resumed. The men all 
in fine spirits at the prospect of soon being in Wash- 
ineton. Mrs. Custer rides alonQr with the Third 
Division to-day. 

May 15th. — Pass over the old Bull Run battle- 
field to-day. The scenes are familiar to many of the 
men, as the regiment is largely composed of veterans 
of the 1 2th and 32d New York Infantry who first 
smelt gunpowder on this historic spot nearly four 
years before. 

In this connection it may be of interest to note 
that quite a number of the commissioned officers of 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 



81 



the commissioned officers of the regiment had seen 
service in the 3d New York Cavalry. 

May 1 6th.— Passed through Fairfax Court House 
during the day, and at night encamped between 
Alexandria and Washington. The first gray streaks 
of dawn on the morning of the 17th revealed to us 
the dome of the capitol, and in the distance could be 
discerned old Camp Stoneman, where we first en- 
camped when we came out in 1863. 

May 21st— Break camp and take up our line of 
inarch for Washington. Each man of the Third 
Division had been provided with a red neck tie, the 
colors worn by our commander, General Custer, and 
they made a showy appearance as they passed through 
the city, cheering for Sheridan and our gallant leader 
with the golden hair. The column halted at Blad- 
ensburg, Md. , and went into camp. 

May 22d.— The troops engaged in cleaning up 
and getting ready to participate in the grand review 
to occur the next day. 

May 23d.— Left camp early and proceeded to 
Washington. As the Third Division was generally 
in advance in the field, so on this great occasion it 
was given the post of honor. Pennsylvania avenue 
was packed from one end to the other with a dense 
mass of humanity, and the troops received a perfect 
ovation at every step. After the division had passed 
the reviewing stand in front of the White House, it 
filed off to its old encampment, drawn up in line, and 
there took final leave of its beloved commander. The 



82 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

scene was an affecting one, and one long to be remem- 
bered. That evening the men who had been left be- 
hind at the dismounted camp rejoined the regiment. 

May 29th. — Left Bladensburg and passing 
through Washington crossed the Potomac and were 
in Virginia once more, going into camp near Cloud 
Mills. 

The men went to work putting up tents and fix- 
ing up the camp in neat order. Whether our stay 
there was to be a long or short one mattered not ; they 
were going to take comfort while they did stay. 
Nearly every day some regiment would pack up and 
leave for home. "When will our turn come?" was 
the anxious inquiry. "What are they keeping us 
for?" All sorts of camp rumors were afloat. Some 
said we were to be sent to Texas*; others said we 
were going out on the plains. And so it went. Drill- 
ing was kept up as usual, but the weather becoming 
terribly hot, orders were issued to discontinue them. 
Going in swimming, picking berries and visiting 
around among the different regiments were the chief 
occupations of the men. 

June 9th. — The 1st Vermont Cavalry, belonging 
to our brigade, leave for home. 

June 14th. — Co. G detailed as guard at brigade 
headquarters. 

June 20th. — Terrible thunder storm swept over 
the camps. Lightning struck a blacksmith's forge 
knocking down several horses and mules standing- 
near. 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 83 

June 23d.— The 15th and 6th New York Cavalry 
consolidated and called the "Second Regiment Pro- 
visional Cavalry." The field and staff officers of the 
regiment were as follows : 

Colonel, Chas. L. Fitzhugh ; Lieut. -Col., Har- 
rison White ; Majors, R. H. S. Hyde, Geo. W. Goler 
and Geo. E. Farmer ; Adjutant, Morgan D. Lewis ; 
Quartermaster, Riley E. Horton ; Commissary, Or- 
ville D. Wilson ; Surgeon, Augustus P. Clark ; As- 
sistant Surgeons, Milton A. Halstead and John C. 
Wall ; Chaplain, Geo. D. Crocker. 

The supernumerary officers were mustered out 
on the 27th and left for home, as did also a number 
of non-commissioned officers and privates from each 
company. 

June 25th.— The 8th New York Cavalry, another 
regiment of our brigade, leave for home. 

June 29th.— Orders received to pack up and be 
ready for a move. The first battalion leave camp. 

June 30th. — The remainder of the regiment leave 
camp at 4 A. m., and proceed to Washington and 
board the cars on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. The 
weather was very hot, with a heavy thunder shower 
in the afternoon. Reached Martinsburg that evening. 

July 1st. — Left Martinsburg at 6 a. m., and run 
as far as Grafton, which place we reached on the 
morning of the 2d. Side-tracked and lay here all 
day. The men raid several box cars for provisions. 
Left at dark and made an all night run. 



84 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

July 3d. — Arrived at Parkersburg at daylight, 
unloaded the horses and pitched camp. 

July 4th. — The citizens of Parkersburg provided 
us with a dinner in a grove. Their intentions no 
doubt were good enough, but provisions in sufficient 
quantities for a hungry crowd were sadly lacking. As 
it was the men made the most of it and gave them 
three rousing cheers. 

July 5th. — Left camp at 8 A. M., proceeded to the 
landing at the river, went on board transports, and 
steamed down the Ohio. 

July 6th. — Arrived at Cincinnati, made a stop of 
a couple of hours, and then proceeded on our journey. 

July 7th. — Arrived at Jeffersonville, Ind., oppo- 
site Louisville, at 9 a. m. Disembarked and went 
into camp on the outskirts of the town. We lay 
here until the 21st of July, doing patrol duty between 
Jeffersonville and New Albany, when we crossed the 
river and encamped just on the outskirts of Louis- 
ville. The weather was extremely hot and thunder- 
storms were frequent. As a consequence there was a 
great deal of sickness among the men, principally 
fever and ague. 

After the men had got comfortably settled down 
in their new quarters, foraging was the order of the 
day. Owners of cows pastured on the commons near 
by the camp often wondered no doubt why they nev- 
er could get any milk. If they could have seen little 
squads of soldiers hurrying out about daylight with 
pails and cups, the mystery would have been solved 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 85 

to their satisfaction. Other details would visit farms 
and gardens, and as a rule the daily bill of fare would 
consist of pork, cabbage and potatoes for dinner and 
bread and milk for supper. 

Patrol duty was kept up in Louisville day and 
night. It was found necessary to do this as lawless- 
ness was on the increase and it must be held in check 
until matters had somewhat quieted down. Theatres 
and other places of amusement were well patronized 
by the men. 

July 25th. — Orders were received to commence 
work on the muster out rolls, which caused great 
rejoicing throughout the regiment. 

August 1st. — Turned in the horses. Some of 
the men were visibly affected when they took final 
leave of the noble animals that had borne them 
through so many hardships and dangers. 

August 8th. — Turned overarms and equipments. 
Some of the trusty old sabres were brought home by 
the men as relics. 

August 9th. — Mustered out of the United States 
service after serving two years. 

August 13th. — Bid good bye to Louisville. Break 
camp at 4. p. M., inarch to the landing and embark 
on board transports bound for home. As the boats 
swing out into the stream fhe boys make the welkin 
ring with their shouts, while the steam calliopes on 
each steamer play the national airs. 

An all night run brings us to the dock at Cin- 
cinnati at 8 A. m. on the 14th, where we disembark 



86 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

and take the cars. Some delay occurred and it was 
3 p. M. before the train pulled out from the station. 
The engineer of that train must have divined that 
we were anxious to get home for we sped along at a 
high rate of speed considering the length of the train, 
and on the morning of the 16th we were landed in 
Elmira all safe and sound. Disembarking we were 
marched to the barracks which were to be our quar- 
ters until we were paid off. Not liking the bill of 
fare furnished, a large number of the men procured 
board and lodging in the city. Paymaster Thurston 
commenced paying off on the 226. of August, and as 
fast as the men received the amount due .them they 
bid good bye to their comrades and departed for their 
various homes, and by the 24th of August the 15th 
New York Cavalry (or Second Regiment Provisional 
Cavalry) had ceased to exist as an organization. 

Comrades, my task is done. The lapse of a 
quarter of a century since we disbanded and the vast 
territory over which the survivors of the gallant old 
15th are scattered, has made the work a somewhat 
difficult one, but I hope and trust you will pardon all 
omissions. 

I am gratefully indebted to Col. Richardson, 
Capts. B. N. Hurd, A. O. Skiff and W. F. Weller, 
and Comrades Melville B. Apgar, Geo. W. Hunt, 
Samuel T. Haviland, and several others for valuable 
aid rendered. 

The 15th New York Cavalry, while not claiming 
to have put down the rebellion alone, or of having 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 87 

done any meritorious feat, yet do claim that whenever 
called upon for duty, no matter how hard or labori- 
ous, it always responded with alacrity and cheerfulness. 
Their loss during their term of service was t,j 
men killed in battle and 131 by disease ; 01 killed, 
wounded and taken prisoners 360. 



The mare, Fanny, a portrait of which will be 
found on page 89, was captured from the guerrilla com- 
mand of John Mosby, who at the time was making a 
charge upon the advance guard of a Union supply 
train moving up the Shenandoah valley to join Gen. 
Hunter, who was just then preparing for the battle 
of Piedmont. The officer in charge of the Union 
advance was Lieut. J. M. Rulifson, 15th New York 
Cavalry. This officer, makes no special claim to 
merit for the capture, although not only this notable 
animal but two other good sound horses fell into the 
hands of his command. His little band of twenty- 
two men were driven back upon the main guard of 
infantry, consisting of a battalion of one hundred 
days' men from Ohio, who under command of a vet- 
eran officer did excellent service making possible the 
capture. 

Fanny is now (April, 1890), most comfortably 
housed on the farm of Capt. Win. F. Weller, at Liv- 
erpool, N. Y., this officer having taken her home as 
a trophy of the war and kindly and tenderly cared for 
her since. 



88 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

This noble animal, now thirty-three years old, 
has two fine colts, aged respectively twenty-one and 
twenty-three years, living on the same farm to cheer 
her old age. She also carries a bullet in her under 
jaw, received at the skirmish near Waynesboro, Va., 
while ridden by the officer in charge at the time of 
her capture. 

The wound did not disable her, and she contin- 
ued on Hunter's raid to Lynchburg and back to the 
camp at Cumberland, where she became the property 
of Capt. Weller, who rode her in all the subsequent 
battles and marches up to the time of Lee's surrender. 

She is the only surviving animal of the regiment 
known, and was present at several of our re-unions. 




\ V — fT' \\'A i i iwM ; / hi 



&> H / 



' ■ !'/ 1 



^,^V^%:^A% 



FANNY. 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 91 



COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMRADES. 



THE LAST CHARGE MADE IN THE ARMY OF THE 

POTOMAC ; THE LAST SHOT FIRED, AND THE 

LAST UNION SOLDIER WOUNDED. 

BY ALBERT O. SKIFF, CAPT. CO. A, I5TH N. Y. CAY. 

Letting my thoughts wander back o'er the cruel 
days of bloody war, I find that the remembrance of the 
8th of April, 1865, is still written upon the tablets of 
my memory in characters so vivid that it has failed 
to become erased by the years, which since that time 
having winged their flight into the past, and as such 
reminiscences always warms up and sends rushing 
through our veins the sluggish blood that has been 
lying dormant for over twenty-four years, once more 
it brings to mind the time when to our ears came 
daily the shrill notes of the bugle, the clanking of 
the sabre, the rumbling of the wagon trains, the stern 
words of command, and lastlv the wild carnage of 
the battle-field. And as I have never seen it men- 
tioned in any account written of Lee's surrender that 
a number of the Union troops found their way to 



92 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

Appomattox Court House, on the eve of the above 
named day, I now put myself on the skirmish line 
for the purpose of describing the event which occur- 
red at that time, I myself being a participant of the 
scene. 

The sun had not yet descended beneath the 
limits of the western horizon when Sheridan's corps 
reached Appomattox Station. There meeting some 
resistance, a charge was made that soon dispersed the 
rebels, who were drawn up in line to protect the 
depot and also the wagon trains which extended from 
the station to the Court House, the distance being 
about two miles ; and while the 15th New York 
Cavalry were capturing that, the rest of the com- 
mand were securing four immense railroad trains. 
Some of the teams had become so completely entan- 
gled as to form a barricade, and to avoid the confu- 
sion we were obliged to leave the road. 

How vividly it all comes back to me now ! I re- 
member I was riding beside Col. Root, and leaning- 
forward in my saddle to move a top rail we leaped the 
fence side by side. Soon after our horses regained 
the road we charged past wagon after wagon, cannon 
after cannon, and mule team after mule team ; on to- 
wards Appomattox, little dreaming the fate in store 
for us. 

Night had settled down wide and still. The sky- 
above us was completely overcast by thickly flying 
clouds, through which now and then a few glimmer- 
ing stars cast a pale and sickly radiance, causing the 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 93 

darkness of earth to become denser and making- more 
ghastly the grey gloom of heaven. Banishing from 
our minds all thoughts of fear and trepidation we 
madly galloped on and soon dashed into the streets 
of Appomattox. When we reached this place the 
party consisted of about a dozen troopers of the 15th 
New York Cavalry, among which number were Col. 
A. I. Root and myself. In the distance we could dis- 
tinctly hear the heavy tramp of marching feet and 
the officers issuing their quick, decisive orders of 
command, which rang out sharp and shrill upon the 
chill evening air. Col. Root leading the onset, we 
charged immediately in front of the Court House ; 
there receiving a volley of rebel bullets, we were in- 
stantly driven backward. In a moment all was confu- 
sion, and after exchanging several shots we were 
obliged to retreat. I was just at the point of turning 
about when a riderless horse sprang to my side. I 
grasped the reins of his bridle, and as my eyes fell 
upon the empty saddle I realized that another true 
and noble life had been sacrificed at the shrine of our 
suffering country, and the bullet which had pierced 
the brave and manly heart of our gallant colonel had 
secured to the cruel and relentless war another ghast- 
ly victim. 

I shall never forget the scene through which we 
passed while making our retreat. The wagon train 
was completely enveloped in flames, and the boys 
turning themselves into teamsters, the leader of which 
was that gallant soldier, Sergeant Gibbs, hitched the 



94 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

mules to the cannon and drew them rapidly to the 
rear. Leading Col. Root's horse back over the 
ground which his brave master had passed but a 
moment before, I gave him to Adjutant Mann, who 
was the Colonel's most intimate friend. When we 
informed him of our loss the tears rained down his 
cheeks in torrents and his manly frame shook with 
heartfelt sobs, for he realized, as did the rest of us, 
that we had lost a friend who was both brave and 
noble and of whom his country might well be proud. 
His body, stripped of all outer garments, was found 
in the streets the morning after the surrender, and 
was conveyed to the home of a staunch Confederate 
lady at her own request, her womanly heart being 
full of reverence and respect for the gallant man 
whose intrepidness cost him his life. She had the 
body interred in her own door yard and kept his 
grave covered with a profusion of beautiful flowers. 
A year later, when his remains were conveyed to the 
home of his early childhood her tears fell thick and 
fast, for she had learned to love the grave of the man- 
ly hero and had taken special pride in keeping as a 
sacred spot the final resting place of our daring Col- 
onel. And as another mark of esteem and honor, 
attributed to his memory, a G. A. R. organization in 
Syracuse, N. Y., is called the "Root Post, No. 151" 
after the "bravest of the brave." Among other relics 
placed in their room is a fine painting of the colonel 
presented by Major Michael Auer of the 15th New 
York Cavalry, and in a prominent place may be seen 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 95 

the well known saddle which carried Col. Root to his 
last charge, and who, after giving his life for his coun- 
try's sake, sleeps peacefully among his thousands of 
brave comrades who fell while "fighting for home and 
native land." 

The following extract, taken from the Elmira 
Morning Telegram, of March 1st, 1885, shows our 
position on the night of April 8th, also the exact 
place where Col. Root was killed. Major T. U. Wil- 
liams, of Lynchburg, Va., who is now a leading law- 
yer of that place, who had charge of the rebef skir- 
mish line at Lee's surrender, said : 

"A Federal Colonel and half a dozen soldiers 
did a foolhardy act. the evening before the surrender. 
They galloped through the town and immediately in 
front of Lee's headquarters. I saw their dead bod- 
ies the next morning lying by the roadside. It was 
supposed that they were intoxicated. I did know 
the Colonel's name but it has passed from my mem- 
ory." 

But the above narrative, written in reply to this 
correspondence, tends to infer that Major Williams 
was mistaken, and that he did the memory of a brave 
and gallant soldier a great injustice when he says that 
we were "intoxicated" and the act. was "foolhardy," 
for we made that charge at the command of Gen. 
Custer, who expected it to be obeyed. Doing as all 
soldiers do, we went as far as we could. 

But we overlook all this seeming injustice when 
we read the following manly explanation, written bv 



96 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

Major T. U. Williams, and appearing in the Tele- 
gram April 1 2th, 1885 : 

"I have seen the letter of Capt. Albert O. Skiff 
in your paper of March 29th, in which he says I have 
done injustice to the memory of a brave and gallant 
soldier. In the information I gave your correspond- 
ent, whose letter was published March 1st, in refer- 
ence to the persons whose dead bodies I saw lying in 
the street at Appomattox Court House, I meant only 
to say that a little after dark, the evening before the 
surrender, I saw the soldiers lying in the road, one 
of whom I was told was a colonel, and when my in- 
formants told me of the daring bravery of the men, 
we thought they were foolhardy and perhaps intoxi- 
cated. I hasten to say that I am glad to be correct- 
ed. Far be it from me to intentionally do injustice 
to the gallant men who fought on the other side. It 
was I who proposed to the Telegram? s correspondent 
the toast — 'To Grant and Lee ; health for the living 
and respect for the dead." And now in view of the 
critical health of living heroes, allow me to say I, 
with thousands of braver and better Southern men, 
repeat the sentiment — 'To the health of the living 
and memory of the dead.' Please say to Capt. Skiff 
that I am sorry to have done the seeming injustice to 
his gallant friend, Col. Augustus I. Root. 

Yours truly, 

T. U. Williams. 

We will now go back to the eve of the 8th of 
April, 1865, where I had given the colonel's horse 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 97 

into the hands of Adjutant Mann, after which our 
regiment retired into a piece of woods near Appomat- 
tox Station to rest for the night. The light from the 
burning wagon train enabled me to find my supper, 
which consisted of two or three dozen warm wheat 
biscuit tied up in a pillow case and abandoned by 
some poor Johnny Reb in his haste to escape. Hav- 
ing satisfied my hunger, for wheat biscuits in those 
days were a rarity, I looked about me and seeing the 
moss-covered roots of a large tree standing near by I 
took my horse by the bridle and lying down slept 
soundly until the shrill notes of the bugle told us 
that another day had dawned and duty urged us 
onward. 

Time can never erase from my memory the sen- 
sation of fear and dread which took possession of me 
as I mounted my horse that morning. In all my four 
years' experience I had known no feeling to equal 
this. Perhaps the sad fate of Colonel Root may have 
had something to do with it, but I felt as I rode out 
that morning that to me it was to prove an eventful 
day. All mortals are more or less superstitious, but 
the sensation which then stole over me I could not 
shake off. But as the stern command of our officers 
rang out on the morning air we knew that the move- 
ment was forward. 

Gen. Sheridan moved his whole cavalry force 
over the fields south of Appomattox Court House early 
that morning, consequently what more I have to say 
will be confined to the doings of the Third Division 



98 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

of cavalry commanded by Gen. Geo. A. Custer. His 
command came up where the colored troops were ly- 
ing in line of battle, and a black line it was too. 
They opened ranks for us to pass by, crawling on 
their hands and knees, as a battery in our front was 
making it uncomfortable for them. Gen. Custer 
ordered Col. Markell of the 8th New York cavalry, 
who had the advance, to deploy his regiment as skir- 
mishers, and then Gen. Custer and staff placed them- 
selves at the head of the 15th New York Cavalry, 
commanded by Col. John J. Coppinger, the entire 
division following in column of fours, at a brisk trot, 
straight to the front. Shells were tearing up the 
ground all about us at the time and the tumult be- 
came deafening. Suddenly Gen. Custer obliqued to 
the right and dashed forward at a gallop, soon turn- 
ing down a road into which we charged in column. 
Continuing down this road for a short distance we 
took to the fields again and came up in rear of the 
rebel army. We were just on the point of charging 
into the enemy when Col. Markell came dashing up 
to us with a bare headed rebel major, who carried in 
his hands a white towel. Instantly all tumult and 
confusion was hushed ; there was not a shot to be 
heard, while cheer after cheer resounded all along the 
lines. The charge our cavalry was about to make 
was arrested and we stood awaiting orders. 

It has always been my opinion, by what transpir- 
ed at that time, that Gen. Custer took the rebel and 
flag of truce to his superior officer, as during the time 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 99 

we were waiting he was not with his staff at the head 
of his division. But E. W. Whittiker, lieutenant- 
colonel of the ist Connecticut Cavalry, then acting 
Assistant Inspector General of the Third Cavalry 
Division, in a letter written to the New York Times, 
makes the matter perfectly plain. He says : 

"Upon receiving the flag of truce Custer instant- 
ly halted and turning to me by his side said : 'Go 
with this officer and say to Gen. Lee that I cannot 
stop this charge unless he announces an uncondition- 
al surrender.' On returning to Gen. Custer I learned 
that Confederate cavalry had been trying to charge 
through our lines on the right but had not succeeded. ' ' 

When we saw the flag of truce, as above stated, 
we immediately came to a dead halt, and cheer 
answered cheer from one end of the line to the other. 
After remaining in this position about ten minutes 
the 8th New York Cavalry, who were still ont as 
skirmishers, were driven back upon us. The 15th 
New York Cavalry instantly made a charge led by 
Col. Coppinger and a part of Custer's staff, your hum- 
ble servant commanding the first squadron at the 
head of his regiment. Those of the enemy that 
escaped onr fire went back, for our bullets flew a doz- 
en to their one; but during the charge a rebel ball 
struck me on the right jaw, passed downward through 
my neck, emerging therefrom in the vicinity of my 
jugular vein and trachea. I immediately reined up 
my horse and turned him about. Just at that mo- 
ment Gen. Custer dashed past me, and close behind 



100 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

him came his bugler sounding the recall, and at a 
short distance the flag of truce again appeared in 
sight, probably carried by Col. Whittiker on his re- 
turn from an interview with the enemy. I made at 
once to the rear and every step I took cheer upon 
cheer, arising from hundreds of thankful hearts, was 
all that could be heard. Not a single shot sounded 
along the line ; the wild tumult of cannon and shell, 
which had hitherto been the prominent feature of the 
day, had ceased, and only the thousands of voices 
which now rose clear and strong in one grand proc- 
lamation of joy, broke the stillness which suddenly 
reigned over friend and foe. 

I write this as I saw it, and as others of the 
Third Division witnessed it, and if the brave boy gen- 
eral, or those of his gallant staff that led with Col. 
Coppinger at that time were alive to-day they could 
certify to the truth of my statement. But alas, the 
greater part of that brilliant staff went down to the 
grim gates of death with their gallant leader on the 
wild plains of a western prairie. A leader who could 
say to us in his farewell address : "You have within 
the last year captured one hundred and eleven pieces 
of field artillery, sixty-five battle-flags, ten thousand 
prisoners of war, including seven general officers, 
and never lost a gun or a color." Where among the 
heroes that the war produced, who had attained only 
to the age of twenty-six years, could you find a cham- 
pion or an equal ? 

If this should meet the eye of any of those who 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 101 

made the last charge in the Army of the Potomac, 
and if I have in any particular misstated anything, I 
would be glad to be corrected. Col. Coppinger is at 
the present time doing active service somewhere on 
the frontier line, and Col. Markell, of the 8th New 
York Cavalry, is an honored man in the city of Roch- 
ester, N. Y. 

Now while I do not assume the honor of putting 
down the whole rebellion, I do claim that I was the 
last Union soldier wounded in the Army of the Po- 
tomac. 



A PROPHETIC DREAM. 

Comrade James A. Hines, of Co. H, gives the 
following version of a dream he had the night pre- 
vious to the skirmish at Lacey Springs, and how true 
it was verified the next morning : 

After I fell asleep I dreamt that we were sud- 
denly attacked by the enemy ; that our regiment 
were all dismounted ; that they tried to mount their 
horses, some of whom were saddled and some not ; 
general confusion followed, in which I lost my horse. 
I ran, and in my flight came across a wagon train, 
and some one called me by name. I went to him and 
found him to be the regimental surgeon hiding under 
the wagons, and he told me to stay with him and I 
would be all right. Soon after the train was sur- 
rounded by the enemy and one who appeared to be 
in command said : u Go on, boys, and give them 



102 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

Yankees h — 11 ; these are ours." They left the 
train and I also left. I had gone but a short distance 
when I heard this command : "Rally for the hollow, 
8th." I went to the hollow. A man rode up to me 
and asked me what regiment I belonged to. I told 
him. "Surrender, you d — d Yankee son of ab — h." 
I asked him what command he belonged to, and he 
said the 8th Virginia. He stripped me of my watch, 
gloves and boots and then turned me over to another 
man. An officer rode up and ordered him to take me 
to a piece of woods on the right. While going I saw 
a line of troops moving out from the woods. The 
command halt was given, and my captor was asked 
what regiment he belonged to. He answered : 
"Twenty-Second New York Cavalry." The com- 
mand was then given : "Don't shoot, for he is one of 
our men." I then awoke. 

Now for the reality as I saw it the next morning : 
I was awake before boots and saddles was sound- 
ed on the morning of the 2ist of December, 1864. I 
was very chilly. I warmed myself and then went to 
work to get breakfast for myself and tent-mates — H. 
L. Warner, W. P. Straits and Sergt. West. After 
the meal was finished boots and saddles sounded and 
we saddled up. I asked Sergt. West if I had not 
better make some pancakes to eat during the day, 
and receiving an affirmative reply went to get the 
frying pan off of my saddle, when I heard a shot and 
the enemy's bugles sounded the charge. I sprang 
for my horse but in the confusion he got away and I 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 103 

took leg bail. I made for our ambulance train hop- 
ing- to get another horse. While en route I met Gen. 
Custer riding along through the lines giving his com- 
mands. I final! v reached the train and was trying to 
get another horse, when our doctor asked me what I 
was doing. I told him: He told me to crawl under 
the ambulance. I did so. No sooner had I hid my- 
self than the train was surrounded by rebels. One 
who appeared to be in command, said: "Boys, this 
train is ours ; now go and give the Yankees h — 11." 
They all left and then I heard the command : "Rally 
for the hollow, 8th." I thought the 8th New York 
Cavalry was going to make a stand, so I went down 
there in hopes of gobbling some poor devil's horse. 
No sooner had I reached the hollow than up rode a 
rebel and asked me what regiment I belonged to. I 
told him. He said : "Surrender you Yankee son of 
a b — h." He took my watch, gloves and boots, 
when an officer rode up and told me to go with him. 
He turned me over to another man and told him to 
take me to a piece of woods which he pointed out to 
him, and we started. Just before reaching the woods 
a regiment moved out. The command halt was 
given. 

"What regiment do you belong to?" 
"Twenty-second New York Cavalry," my cap- 
tor said. 

"Don't shoot boys, he is one of our men." 
"He lies," said I, "he has got me a prisoner." 
Of course the Johnny was gobbled. It proved 



104 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

to be the ist Vermont Cavalry which charged down 
in the hollow and made the rebels get up and get. 
On my way back to my own regiment I fell in with 
Sergt. McAllen of my company. Proceeding along 
together we discovered Timothy Coughlin of the 15th 
pinned to the ground, his horse having been shot and 
falling on him. Having extricated him he was ask- 
ed if he was hurt. 

"No, n was his answer, "but be jasus my carbine 
is broke." 

Comrade Hines has a hard tack in his possession 
to-day that was issued to him on the 26th of Febru- 
ary, 1865. 



A BRAVE SOLDIER. 

Comrade Brill, of Co. H, had quite an experi- 
ence at Lacey Springs. He had not been long in this 
country when he enlisted, having emigrated from 
Germany. The only English he could speak was 
"Son of a b — h." He managed to mount his horse 
on the morning of the scrimmage, but in his haste he 
forgot his sabre. During the melee a rebel rode up 
to him and demanded his surrender. Brill replied, 
"Son of a b — h." For this he was whacked over the 
head with a sabre in the hands of the rebel. Brill 
succeeded in wresting the sabre from him and knocked 
him senseless from his horse and took him prisoner 
to headquarters. The Johnny proved to be a rebel 
major who afterwards told Gen. Custer that Brill was 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 105 

too brave a man to remain in the ranks. After reach- 
ing Winchester Gen. Sheridan sent for Brill, and it 
was rumored he was sent to West Point on Sheridan's 
recommendation. 



A BRAVE SERGEANT. 

Sergeant Eli Conklin, of Co. G, who was cap- 
tured at the battle of Lost River Gap, Va., May ioth, 
1864, tells a rather interesting story of his early ac- 
quaintanc| with the "gray coats." During the fight 
his horse became exhausted and Captain Hnrd order- 
ed him to shoot the animal and take to the woods to 
avoid being captured. The horse was shot but his 
escape was not so easily efFected, and the sergeant 
soon found himself a prisoner. He had just obtained 
before starting out on the reconnoissance a new pair 
of high topped cavalry boots which were much cov- 
eted by his newly made il friends," and their desire 
for possession was promptly made knowm. The blue 
coated, high booted and high spirited prisoner in- 
formed the rebel General Imboden that the first man 
who took those boots would have to pull them from 
his dead body, and he also volunteered to whip any 
man in the general's army who thought he could 
capture those boots. However the interview im- 
pressed the officer and the boots were not molested, 
but the rebels robbed him of his coat and other valu- 
ables. He wore the boots for two or three weeks 



106 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

and then traded them off to a Confederate for a pair 
of good shoes and $40 of southern money as a bonus. 

While on his way to prison the train on which 
he was ran into a deep cut at Danville, Va., and 
stopped. Rebel hospitals were located in a field near 
the railroad, and soon quite a crowd gathered on the 
banks above to look at the Yanks and chaff them. 
Sergeant Conklin was sitting on top of one of the 
box cars on which the officer in command of the 
train was riding, and had taken no part in the con- 
versation. Suddenly he looked up into the officer's 
face and said : 

"Cap, let me go up to that fellow," meaning one 
who seemed to be the bully amongst the crowd. 

44 All right, go ahead," said the officer. 

Down went Conklin off the car and up the bank 
he went like a cat, and as,, he reached the top he 
sprang clear off his feet and let the fire eater have it 
between the eyes. The rebel turned a double back 
somersault, and when he arose to his feet he made off 
at a 2:40 gait, amid the jeers of the crowd. 

Sergeant Conklin's honesty is shown by the fol- 
lowing transaction : The boots he had on when cap- 
tured he purchased of a member of his company who 
had received a box of them from home. The ser- 
geant agreed to pay for them at the next pay day, the 
price being $8. That was the last seen of the ser- 
geant until after the regiment was discharged, when 
one day in walked the sergeant into the office where 
the man was employed who sold him the boots, and 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 107 

handed him the money for them. The man tried to 
convince him that the debt was cancelled, but he 
would not hear to it and insisted on his taking the 
money. 



LACEY SPRINGS. 

The following account of the skirmish at Lacev 
Springs, Va., is kindly furnished bv Capt. William 
F. Weller : 

One among the many most vivid and distinct 
recollections of stirring events occurred to the 15th 
New York Cavalry on the morning of December 21st, 
1864, at a place called Lacey Springs, Va. The 
weather at the time was all that could be desired for 
stirring as well as exciting events. On this fateful 
morning at about 5 o'clock the regiment was called 
to horse amid one of the worst snow storms for that 
region, and under rather peculiar circumstances. 
Perhaps I ought to have stated how we came to be 
there and by whom commanded. If I recollect rio-ht 
the expedition was of the nature of a reconnoissance 
in force, consisting of Gen. Custer's division of cav- 
alry and a battery of artillery, with orders discretion- 
ary, which generally meant finding the enemy as 
well as feeling of him. I always thought Gen. Cus- 
ter had a weakness that way : that is, simply finding 
the enemy might satisfy belief, but feeling of him 
came nearer the naked truth. 

Well, to return to the "stirring" event of the 



108 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

expedition. The 15th then brigaded with the 1st 
Vermont and 8th New York Cavalry (the comrade 
should also have said the 22d New York and 1st New 
Hampshire) and constituting the Second Brigade of 
the Third Cavalry Division, encamped in a field on 
the right of the pike after a long inarch the day pre- 
vious. The squadron, Cos. G and H, then under my 
command, picketed along a fence parallel with the 
pike and facing it. The 8th New York occupied a 
position along a fence at right angles with said pike 
and facing up the valley. 

Just about two minutes after the bugle sounded 
"to horse" in the morning, and about 5 o'clock, the 
well known rebel yell sounded, interspersed with fir- 
ing, cutting and slashing of sabres, coming down in 
the direction of the position held by the 8th New 
York, the result of which caused a momentary con- 
fusion in the last named regiment as they were in the 
act of mounting. It so happened that I had mount- 
ed my command a little more prompt than usual, and 
hearing the cyclone of horse coming down on us I at 
once brought carbines to an advance, but dare not 
command fire ; had I done so our gallant comrades 
of the 8th would have suffered more than the enemy, 
as not a man could be recognized on account of the 
fast falling snow and the dense fog prevailing at the 
time. I at once gave orders to move to a more favor- 
able locality. Whether the squadron moved by my 
orders or the more emphatic orders of the cyclone I 
never knew, but circumstances and the nerve, and 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 109 

sinew of the "white mare" soon found me on the 
pike passing a regiment of the enemy's cavalry at a 
halt and headed in the direction of New Market or 
down the valley. Upon reaching the head of this 
column, where some sharp skirmishing took place, 
my horse made some of her most energetic leaps, and 
upon closer examination found several horses and 
their riders hors du combat in the road and blocking 
the way. At the same time not a man could be rec- 
ognized upon the closest inspection. I never placed 
much confidence in the theory of being born to luck, 
and even to the present time am inclined to think 
that the instinct of my horse led me to where the 
squadron had again partially reformed — not unlikely 
by the same horse instinct — on the opposite side of 
the pike, where I found Capt. Moschell who had also 
reformed all of the 15th that could be recognized, 
and many others that were not. Daylight, however, 
soon came and order was again restored. The enemy 
could be seen moving off in various directions towards 
the mountains. 

The object of the expedition having been accom- 
plished, we took up our line of inarch in the direc- 
tion of Woodstock, not without frequent skirmishing 
in the rear with those who hurried us into the saddle 
in the early morning. The march of the regiment 
from Lacey Springs to Woodstock, I believe to have 
been one of the severest of its experience, necessitat- 
ing the relieving of pickets every hour of the night. 



110 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 



3rt ITIcmoriam. 



The following is a sketch of the life of the late 
surgeon of the 15th New York Cavalry, George V. 
Skiff, who died while the history of the regiment was 
being compiled : 

LFrom the Pike, (Wyoming Co.) Gazette.] 

As briefly announced in last week's issue of the 
Gazette, Dr. Geo. V. Skiff died in New York City on 
the morning of January 28th, 1890. He was born at 
Pike, at that time in Alleghany county, March nth, 
1836, and was therefore in the 54th year of his age. 
Early in life he attended the district schools of his 
neighborhood, and was later a student at the Rush- 
ford Academy. At the age of nineteen he began 
teaching school, which business he followed for two 
years until he began the study of medicine under the 
instruction of Dr. Isaac Minard of this village. 

He attended his first course of lectures at Ann 
Arbor, Mich., afterwards receiving his degree from 
the University of the city of New York. He first 
located at Perry, N. Y., but in a short time removed 
to Wiscoy. He remained at Wiscoy until 1862 when 
he went to the war, bearing a commission as assistant 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. m 

surgeon of the 12th New York Infantry. With this 
regiment his service was chiefly before Fredericks- 
burg under Generals Hooker and Burnside. Upon 
the expiration of the two years' term of enlistment 
of this regiment, he, with others of the officers, went 
to Syracuse and organized the 15th New York Caval- 
ry, of which he was commissioned surgeon. This 
regiment was assigned to the Third Cavalry Division, 
then under command of Gen. Custer. His service 
with the 15th Cavalry was in the Shenandoah Valley 
under Gens. Sigel, Hunter and Sheridan. At the 
close of the war he was division surgeon of the Third 
Division of Cavalry on the staff of Gen. Wells. 

The regiment was mustered out of service in 
August, 1865. After a brief rest at home he went to 
New York City and established himself in the prac- 
tice of his profession, remaining there until his death. 
Dr. Skiff's well earned popularity as an army 
surgeon had preceded him, and immediately after 
opening an office in the city he became associated 
with the leading physicians and surgeons. He was 
placed in charge of the Eastern Dispensary, one of 
the large medical charities of the metropolis. He 
held this position to the entire satisfaction of the city 
until his increasing private practice necessitated his 
resignation of it. His acknowledged success won him 
many patrons both within and beyond the limits of 
the city. 

He was an active and useful member of the lead- 
ing medical societies of New York, and of various 



112 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

social organizations in the part of the city where he 
resided. He was also prominent in the Grand Army 
of the Republic and in several other secret societies. 

Dr. Skiff was noted for his devotion to his pro- 
fession and its duties, and for his earnest, patient at- 
tention to those who committed themselves to his 
care. He was always a close student, and believed 
that the experience and studies of each day should 
prepare him for a more intelligent and successful 
performance of the duties of the morrow. Socially 
he was genial and attractive, and was always a wel- 
come guest in the best families in any community 
where he lived. Religiously, he made a profession 
of faith in Jesus Christ in early life. Remembering 
this early choice of the Lord he sought to be faithful 
in this highest vocation, as in all his other duties. 
"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from 
henceforth." 

The funeral services were held Thursday after- 
noon, January 30th, 1890, at the residence of his 
father, M. P. Skiff, conducted by the Rev. H. T. 
Chadsey, assisted by Rev. S. Hough. The interment 
was at the beautiful cemetery at East Koy. 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 113 



A THRILLING ADVENTURE. 



COMRADE HAVIEAND'S NARROW ESCAPE FROM HANGING — HIS 

CONFINEMENT AT ANDERSONVIELE AND OTHER PEACES, 

AND HIS ESCAPE. 



Some time the latter part of May, 1864, while 
on detached service as scout at headquarters Army of 
the Shenandoah, myself and a comrade were ordered 
to go across the mountains from Mt. Jackson toward 
Orkney Springs and reconnoiter the country to find 
out if there was any force of the enemy in that direc- 
tion. We did as directed, and while we were return- 
ing overtook a mail carrier with his sack of mail <>o- 
ing to Harrisonburg. We rode along in company 
until we came to where his road turned off, and we 
then persuaded him to accompany us, as we told him, 
to Imboden's camp. We rode on until we were 
within about five miles of Mt. Jackson and had met 
with a guard to a forage train, when feeling perfectly 
safe we stopped at a house for dinner, hitching our 
horses in the yard. 

Our host took his own time about preparing din- 
ner and while we were waiting a squad of our own 
men stopped for water and would have taken us all 



114 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

prisoners, but they knew my comrade to be one of 
the scouts, as he wore his hair very long, curling 
down his back in natural ringlets. Poor fellow, it 
cost him his life. When they were carrying us 
through Richmond he was recognized as one of 
Averill's scouts that burned the bridges near Salem 
on Averill's celebrated raid, and he was hung. As 
we were sitting at the table eating, our prisoner, who 
sat facing the door, jumped to his feet and ran out, 
shouting "take them ; they are Yanks." We jumped 
up and drew our revolvers, and as we cleared the 
door commenced shooting and jumped on our horses. 
By that time they were all aiound us with their 
pistols and carbines at our heads, and as there appear- 
ed no other way, we made the best of a bad bargain 
and surrendered. 

The old fellow we had as prisoner became perfect- 
ly wild and demanded a pistol to shoot us with, but 
they told him to keep cool and they would show him 
a trick worth two of that, and commenced to make 
preparations to swing us to a tree in the yard. Things 
began to look exceedingly squally, but about that 
time a lieutenant who was in command of the party, 
but had stopped back a distance for some purpose, 
put in an appearance and stopped their little matinee, 
but as he told me as we rode back to the mountains 
he did it merely that it might be done regularly and 
in order, which was not at all encouraging to us. He 
said that every Jesse scout (the name by which 
Hunter's scouts were known) were pre-condemned 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 115 

criminals. We both denied belonging to them. 
Well, he said, it made no difference ; that the United 
States war department had ordered that all rebels 
caught wearing the Union uniform should be huno- 
(a fact, as I had read the order myself a few days be- 
fore) and that probably if they should hang a few 
Yanks for the same offence it might act as a restraint 
and cause them to refrain from putting the murder- 
ous order into execution ; all of which was very en- 
couraging to us. 

We rode on without meeting with any adventure, 
except a woman came out and drew a revolver and 
requested the lieutenant to let her practice on us. 
She was young and pretty, and I have always regret- • 
ted that I did not go back after the war ended and 
get revenge on her by marrying her. But the officer 
believed in doing things regular, so he told her to 
put up her revolver and he would look to it that we 
were taken care of. He was a lieutenant in one of 
the Virginia regiments and was home on wounded 
furlough, (although the party he was in command of 
were guerrillas) and he believed in performing his 
duty according to the articles of war, and as we were 
dressed in grey he looked upon us as self-condemned. 
Finally about dark we came to the house of a 
Captain Wm. Miller who was in charge of the 
Columbia iron works, and had under him about two 
or three hundred men. He and his brother, who had 
been crippled at Bull Run and was the sheriff of the 
county, tried our case, they sitting on the porch 



116 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

while we sat on our horses in front of them surround- 
ed by our guards. -The sheriff and lieutenant were 
for hanging us at once, but the captain, backed by 
his wife and beautiful daughter, were for giving us 
time, and finally they all agreed to it. 

We were then taken up on the side of the moun- 
tain. There each of us, tied by the wrist to a guard, 
lay down and slept till morning. We were then tak- 
en back to Capt. Miller's and turned over to him. 
He took us to his rendezvous, a strong stockade fort 
on top of the mountain, where we were put in a hut 
and a guard with drawn revolvers placed over us. 
For the first two days we had no intercourse with any 
one, but on the third day the captain held quite a 
long talk with us. He said if we had told the truth 
and were really members of the regiments that we 
claimed we were that he would turn us over as pris- 
oners of war, but if not, (and he would be sure to 
find out) and that we belonged to the Jesse scouts he 
would surely hang us, and w r e knew he would keep 
his word as he was a very religious man and looked 
upon it as a duty, although a very unpleasant one. 
He also told us how he expected to find out. He said 
that his scouts would be almost certain to pick up 
some straggler from one of the regiments to which 
we said we belonged, and if the prisoner recognized 
us it would be evidence that we had told the truth. 
If he failed to do so it would be equally certain that 
we had lied, and according to his code that crime 
alone ought to be enough to condemn us. 



FIFTEENTH NEW VORK CAVALRY. 117 

It turned out as he had expected. On the eve- 
ning of the fourth day we heard the leaves rustling 
down the mountain side and soon in walked the last 
man in the regiment I would have wished for them to 
capture, as I had not a particle of confidence in his 
discretion. You all knew him — Old Grif, horse far- 
rier of Co. F, but he recognized me at once and said 
he saw my brother Ed the day before and that he told 
him about my having been reported missing, and 
never said a word about my having been a scout at 
all. They allowed us together about an hour, then 
the captain took him to another hut and questioned 
him very closely about me, which he repeated the 
next day, and then put us all together saying he was 
satisfied and would turn us over as prisoners of war. 
His brother then came up and spent most of his time 
with us, and his daughter sent us many books to read 
which helped very much to pass the time away pleas- 
antly. The captain told us that he was very glad to 
have escaped the performance of a very disagreeable 
duty, and that he would parole us and send us back 
to the Potomac but that he was afraid the bush- 
whackers would murder us on the way back. I final- 
ly got him to promise that he would turn us over to 
regular troops instead of to Mosby or McNeil. He 
gave us his promise which he religiously kept, hav- 
ing to take us forty miles farther to do so. We re- 
mained with him ten days and then started on our 
journey for Richmond. We crossed the valley 
through Harrisonburg and Port Republic, and on top 



118 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

of the mountain we met a Virginia regiment that our 
forces captured at Crampton Gap in 1862, when Capt. 
Miller turned us over to the Colonel, shook hands 
with us, and departed for his home. I have never 
seen him since but have received several letters from 
him. And here I wish to say that 110 more noble and 
generous man fought with either army — north or 
south. 

We were awakened the next morning about day- 
light by quite a spirited argument in front of our 
quarters. It seems the colonel of the regiment that 
we had been turned over to had employed two natives 
to guard us on our way as far as Charlottesville and 
there turn us over to the Provost Guard, and as it 
was quite a long tramp they were anxious to get an 
early start so they could get back that night. The 
boys were getting our breakfast for us and the guards 
were unwilling to wait until it was ready and we had 
eaten it, hence the row, and of all the cursing you 
ever heard men get "them mountaineers got it. And 
they were a hard looking couple too. Tall, long 
haired, gaunt looking specimens of bushwhackers, 
armed with navy revolvers which never left their 
hands ; they were about as undesirable looking speci- 
mens of a guard as any Yank would wish to have 
placed over him. Finally one of them says : 

"Trot them out ; we ain't going to wait a min- 
ute longer." 

"Well," says the sergeant in charge of us, "go 
ahead with them you G — d d — 11 hogs, but if you 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 119 

don't bring back a receipt for them signed by the 
Provost Marshal your d — d hides won't hold water 
to-night." 

At that he came to our quarters and told us he 
guessed we would have to go as the d — d hogs would 
not wait, and they were the only mounted men they 
could get to guard us. He said he was sorry he 
could not turn us over to gentlemen, but thought 
they did not raise any in that part of the country. 
We crawled out and off we started down the moun- 
tain, minus our breakfast, but as the boys had furnish- 
ed us a good supper the night before we thought we 
could make the trip without suffering any inconve- 
nience, but before we had gone two miles we heard a 
horse coming at full gallop and up rode one of our 
friends from the regiment with our breakfast in a 
basket. 

"Now," he says, "d— n you, you will let them 
stop and eat it, won't you?" 

u No, keep on." 

That was all the reply he got, and it was all he 
got to the volley of oaths and vile names he poured 
out on them as long as he staid with us. He rode 
alongside of us and carried the basket until we had 
eaten all we wanted, done up the remainder in a 
paper and gave it to us, bade us good bye, and with 
a parting oath to the guard turned and rode back to 
his command. We had not gone very far after he 
left us when we came to quite a good sized stream, 
and as there was a log across it on one side of the 



120 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

road, I being in the lead started for it, but "halt" 
and click", click, in rapid succession. 

u Keep in the middle of the road." 

You can just bet that I changed my course quite 
suddenly and split that stream wide open. Ugh, but 
it was cold, being fed from springs from the moun- 
tains and about waist deep. After that whenever we 
came to a stream I never looked to see if there was a 
log or not but kept the road. With the exception of 
that order I don't think our guards spoke a word 
either to us or among themselves until we arrived at 
Charlottesville. There we were turned over to the 
Provost Marshal and that night were placed on a 
train with a lot of other prisoners and started for 
Petersburg, but had not gone far when they started 
back in great haste and we soon learned that our cav- 
alry were in front of us and had torn up the track. 
They then ran back to Charlottesville and put us in 
an old warehouse where they kept us four days. 
There were two long rooms and they were full of 
Yankees and rebel deserters and citizens who had 
been conscripted. The windows were boarded up 
but we could see out through the cracks. On the 
second day we heard a great commotion on the street 
and on looking out we saw regiment after regiment 
passing and after them came a long wagon train. I 
got permission to go to the well with a guard and fill 
a canteen, and while there I found out that the troops 
we had seen passing were part of Ewell's corps under 
Early, and that one division had been sent through 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 121 

Brown's Gap to cut off Hunter in the rear, and the 
rest were en route to Lynchburg to take him in front. 
I then decided that it was my place to get to Hunter 
if it were possible, and that too without any unnec- 
essary delay, so as I went back I took particular 
notice of the building we were confined in and dis- 
covered that there were several holes in the founda- 
tion. I waited until dark and then told some of the 
prisoners of my plan. I borrowed a knife, got them 
to sit around me on the floor to hide me, and I com- 
menced cutting through the flooring. I soon had a 
hole twelve by eighteen inches made and was just 
getting through when I felt something cold touch my 
head, and looking up, there stood the officer of the 
guard with a cocked revolver at my head who with 
an oath invited me to come back. I came. I after- 
wards found out that one of the deserters had found 
out what we were up to and had went and reported it. 
If it had not been for him I would have g-ot throuo-h 
and I believe would have reached Hunter's lines in 
safety in time to have reported the force in his rear 
and enabled him to have turned and crushed it before 
the balance of the corps could have reinforced them. 
As it was he had to retreat and after great hardships 
and loss reached the Ohio river. 

We remained in Charlottesville three or four 
days longer and then started for New Canton, a small 
place on the canal some 35 or 40 miles distant. They 
had ordered out the home guards to see us through 
to Richmond, and a motley looking crowd they were. 



122 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

The officers were uniformed in their old militia regi- 
mentals — chapeaus, dress swords and epaulettes — and 
all a great deal the worse for wear. Nothing of im- 
portance occurred until the second day as we halted 
for dinner. We heard a shot up at the head of the 
column and some of the guards allowed that some 
d — d Yank had tried to get away and had got his 
quietus, but soon the word came down the line that 
it was a horse of another color. One of the foot 
guards had stepped up to a mounted one to speak to 
him. He had his gun resting across his saddle and 
it went off killing the man on foot instantly. The 
home guards were all armed with double barreled 
shot-euns loaded with buck shot. 

We reached New Canton that evening and were 
crowded into the hold of a canal boat and started 
for Richmond where we arrived on the third day and 
were placed in Castle Thunder in an upper room. 
We were then taken out in squads of fifty, marched 
to a lower room and searched and everything of value 
taken from us. They made us strip naked and the 
search was thorough. They found a good many 
things in the hair of some who wore it long. There 
was one place that they failed to examine, and there 
were a good many greenbacks that went through by 
placing them there, and that was the belt knots on 
the back of the cavalry jackets. The boys would rip 
them open, take out the cotton, then stuff them full 
of bills and sew them up. As fast as they searched 
us they would march us over to L,ibby prison and 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 123 

there I got the first glimpse of what we had to go 
through. When they brought us our dinner it con- 
sisted of about two ounces of rotten bacon which no 
one could eat, and soup made of the water it was 
cooked in, and thickened with peas which had never 
been cleaned and were nearly half hulls and full of 
weevils floating on top. They also gave us a small 
piece of bread. Our delicate stomachs could not 
stand it, but good Lord how our mouths used to 
water for that rejected dinner afterwards. It was 
amusing to hear the boys mourn and wish they could 
have one good diiiner like that, and they were in 
earnest too, but this was after they had been in 
Andersonville. 

We only remained in Libby prison two days and 
nothing of any importance transpired. I was stand- 
ing at the window one day looking out and all at 
once I heard the crack of a rifle and felt the wind of 
a bullet pass my head and saw where it went through 
the floor above. Some one had thrown out some 
water or spit out from the window above me, and the 
guard looking up saw me and acted accordingly. It 
was the rule at Libby prison to u kill the Yankees 
and investigate afterwards." All the time we re- 
mained in Richmond we could hear our guns boom- 
ing away at Petersburg, and the guards would enter- 
tain us with stories of how they were whipping us 
every day, but we believed as much of that as we had 
a mind to. 

On the morning of the third day of our stay in 



124 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

Libby prison, they hustled us on to the cars for An- 
dersonville. The only thing that occurred on the 
trip of any importance was the escape of one whole 
car load of Yanks. It happened in this way : The 
orderly sergeant of one of our companies (I think it 
was C), knocked the guard out of the door with his 
fist, and when the train came to a bad piece of road 
where they had to run slow they all lit out. We were 
then away down in Georgia and I think they were 
nearly all recaptured. 

When we arrived at Andersonville we were 
marched to Wirz's quarters and he came out to count 
us. He was a villainous looking old Dntchman and 
carried a revolver in his hand while he was counting 
us. He was a long time about it and I got tired so I 
squatted down and as he came by he said "stand up 
G — d d — n you or I will blow your head off." I 
stood up. As they marched us over to the prison 
we passed under a gallows which had been recently 
erected. I don't know whether it was ever used or 
not, but think it was put up for a kind of scare crow 
to keep us from trying to get away. When the train 
stopped at Andersonville we met with an experience 
that sent the cold shivers running down my back. 
As soon as we got out we were surrounded by 
Yankees, some two or three hundred of them, and as 
they were outside of the prison we were anxious to 
know what they were doing outside. They said they 
were out on parole. We asked them what they were 
doing. They said they were digging graves to bury 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 125 

dead Yankees in. We said for God's sake it don't 
take such a crowd to dig graves for those who die 
here does it. They said yes, and we have to work 
hard to, and we soon found out that what they had 
said was true. As soon as I got inside I commenced 
to hunt up my old comrades who had been captured 
before I was, and soon found Eli Conklin, Silas 
Schoonmaker and William H. Norton of my own 
Company (G). They received me with open arms, 
and as I had nothing stale except the clothes on my 
back they invited me to share their tent with them 
which I gladly accepted. 

It was very hard work getting used to prison life. 
The water was horrible. All we had to drink came 
from the branch that passed through the camps of 
our guards and collected all of the filth from them 
and then ran through the prison for our use. At 
times it would have made very good soup, so thick 
was it with filth. Our quarters were pitched close to 
the branch and in consequence were very wet and 
muddy, so on the fourth day after my arrival when 
the orders were issued for the new arrivals to move 
into the new stockade we packed up and secured 
more desirable quarters. 

After we had got settled in our new place I went 
one day over on the north side of the prison to see 
Charley Creque (one of the old ^d boys — Co. I) as I 
had been told he was over there somewhere. I found 
him without much trouble, and while we were talk- 
ing I witnessed the beginning of what terminated in 



126 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

quite a tragedy. There was a man sitting near us 
on a log with his clothes off killing the vermin that 
was on them (a common enough sight there). He 
had a watch and pocket-book lying beside him. 
Presently a big burly man came along and seeing 
them stooped and picked them up and started to walk 
off with them, when the owner of them said : "Put 
them down ; that is my property." The thief turn- 
ed and struck him with a pair of brass knuckles 
knocking him down. Eight or ten more of the 
thief's pals happening to come along they jumped on 
the prostrate man and when they left him he was 
covered with blood from head to foot and his face was 
terribly cut and bruised. I said to Charley Creque : 

"What does this mean. Why don't the prison- 
ers stop it. It is barbarous to let a gang of roughs 
rob and murder a man in such a manner." 

He laughed and said they were called the raid- 
ers, and if they should hear you say that they would 
not leave a whole bone in your body. So I kept quiet, 
but as soon as they had left I went up to the poor 
man and told him to come with me. He obeyed, and 
we walked down to the gate and called for the officer 
of the guard. When he came I asked to see the 
quartermaster. (I don't know as that was his title, 
but that was what we all called him. He was a 
great big, burly fellow, and could out curse a ship 
load of sailors). He came in with a "What in h — 11 
do you want," and as soon as he saw the man all 
bloody and I had told him how he came to be in such 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 127 

a fix, he ripped out a big oath and says: I'll fix 
them. Sergeant, bring in a dozen files of men with 
loaded guns and fixed bayonets." The men were 

soon ready and then he said : ( 'Show me the , n 

As soon as the prisoners found out they had the pro- 
tection of the rebels they commenced to point out 
the raiders, and in less than an hour they had taken 
out over two hundred and had dug up about half a 
bushel of watches and I don't know how manv o- r een- 
backs that they had stolen from their fellow prisoners 
and buried under their tents. After they had picked 
out the worst of the gang and placed them under a 
strong guard they turned the balance back into prison. 
The prisoners formed two lines from the gate clear 
across the prison enclosure, and as they came in they 
had to run the gauntlett of sticks in the hands of the 
men they had been beating and plundering, and so 
well did they lay it on that two were killed and sev- 
eral badly crippled. The next day Wirz gave notice 
that the prisoners could form a court martial and try 
the raiders he had put under guard, and that they 
could use the enclosure in front of the south gate for 
a court room. What transpired from then on to the 
hanging of the six and the sentencing the balance to 
wear a ball and chain during the balance of their 
imprisonment is historical and not necessary to repeat. 
The man who stole the watch and pocket-book broke 
away from the guard when they were marching him 
to the scaffold and ran clear across the enclosure, but 
he was finally captured, led back and executed. The 



128 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

condemned men had looked upon the whole proceed- 
ings as a huge joke and had no idea the prisoners 
would hang them, but when they saw the gallows 
with six ropes dangling from it they began to realize 
they meant business. 

About a month after their execution, Wirz got 
nervous and was afraid that the thousands of skele- 
tons he was guarding would make a break for liberty, 
so he put up poles with flags on marking a space 
about one hundred yards square from the gate back 
into the prison, and gave orders that* no crowd would 
be allowed to collect inside this space, if they did he 
would open on them with canister. Now this space 
was occupied by the prisoners the same as the balance 
of the prison, and whenever the men all crawled out 
of their quarters and stood up the whole prison was 
a perfect jam of men. The first day after he put up 
the flags, when the wagons came in with the rations, 
the men all got out to draw their share and of course 
there was a crowd on the forbidden ground as there 
was in the balance of the prison, and the first thing 
we knew bang went a gun from the fort that over- 
looked the prison and a shell went whizzing over our 
heads. But they did not send any more. The yell 
that went up from thousands of throats decided him 
not to repeat it. At one time during a heavy rain 
the branch rose and washed away a portion of the 
stockade, but before the prisoners knew anything of 
it the guards had formed a line of battle in front of 
the break. 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 129 

To give you an idea of the mortality of the pris- 
on I will mention an instance. There was a spot of 
ground in front of our tent where the rations were 
issued, and men who had no tent would come alono- 
and lie down there and stay until they died. We 
kept count of the number and it was something over 
thirty that died on that little spot of ground about 
eight feet square. There was an old man who be- 
longed to the Pennsylvania Reserves who came into 
the prison with five other comrades, all young, stout, 
hearty boys, and they set up their shelter tents ad- 
joining ours, and in less than six weeks the old man 
was alone ; the rest had all died. Oh, it is horrible 
to look back upon those days now, but we did not 
seem to realize it then. I have seen men walk delib- 
erately across the dead line on purpose to be shot, 
and they always got their wish. There were a great 
many tunnels dug, but they all turned out so badly 
that our mess never took any hand in them. When- 
ever any one did succeed in getting out they were in- 
variably brought back, as they would put blood- 
hounds on their track at once, and in their feeble 
condition it was next to impossible to escape. When 
taken back Wirz would keep them in the stocks in 
the broiling sun for days. 

We remained at Andersonville until Sherman 
besieged Atlanta, when we were taken out and trans- 
ported to Florence, S. C, where we remained until 
the latter part of February, 1865. While there our 
sufferings were increased. Rations were cut down to 



130 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

a pint of corn meal a day for each man. Conklin 
had a good pair of boots which he traded off for a 
pair of brogans and got eight bushels of sweet pota- 
toes to boot, and while they lasted we fared pretty 
well. At one time the rebels found out that there 
was a tunnel being dug somewhere but did not know 
the exact location of it, so they issued an order that 
there would be no more rations issued until they 
found it, and they kept their word and we got noth- 
ing for three days. Another cause of misery to us 
was counting us once a week to keep from issuing 
rations for any one who had died. Every Sunday 
they would move us across the prison to the south 
side and then count us as we marched back. We 
would have to stand around on the cold ground for 
hours at a time waiting our turn to be counted. All 
the clothing I had on was an old grey coat and a pair 
of ragged pants ; no shoes, hat or shirt. I tore the 
tails off from the coat and wrapped them around my 
feet and that was the only foot covering I had until I 
escaped. 

The guards kept up their shooting of prisoners 
at Florence. I asked one for a chew of tobacco one 
day and he attempted to shoot me but his gun missed 
fire. They issued wood to us at this place. A 
day's ration was a stick about the size of stove wood. 
In the latter part of the fall of 1864 or the first of 
winter an order came to take out a lot of the worst 
sick and wounded, and that the sergeant of each 
hundred squad could go along as nurses and be ex- 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 131 

changed, and as Conklin belonged to the latter class 
he was taken out. and I was left alone so far as any of 
my company was concerned. I then had for my tent- 
mate a little fellow by the name of Weeden who be- 
longed to the 22d New York Cavalry, and a jolly good 
messmate he was. Some time during February there 
came an order to move us to Wilmington, and the 
time for our hundred to leave came about midnight, 

O 7 

one cold freezing night. I awoke Jimmie and told 
him to get up and make ready. He said he was too 
sick, (we both had fever at this time). I begged of 
him to come, but he said no*, you go on and try and 
escape, for we had both made up our minds if they 
ever moved us again we would make one bold effort 
for freedom. Seeing that all of my efforts were futile 
I pulled out and left him. I gave him all the cover- 
ing we had, two old pieces of shelter tent, and that 
was the last I ever saw of him. I have since learned 
that Jimmie got out alive and was living in Texas 
lately. I had always supposed until then that he 
died at Florence. 

They rushed us into Wilmington as fast as they 
could get trains to carry us until there were several 
thousands of us. We staid there about a week and 
all the time we could hear the guns of Gen. Schofield's 
army thundering away at Foit Anderson. One even- 
ing they hustled us on the train and started us for 
Salisbury, but as there were more than they could 
carry at once they stopped about twenty miles out 
and put us off in a clearing and put a guard around 



132 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

us. Right here I decided to part company with 
Johnny Rebs. I confided my determination to a Mich- 
igan man who had not been a prisoner long and he 
said he would go with me, so we lay down close to 
the dead line and watched our chance. It being 
quite cold the guards had a small fire at the end of 
each beat. It was a starlight night with a few clouds 
but no moon, and I knew that the fire light would 
serve to blind the eyes of the guard to some extent. 
I told my Michigan friend to watch me and do just 
as I did. He said he would. I went first. I took a 
point about half way between two fires, and when 
the guards backs were both turned towards me I 
started on my hands and knees across the dead line. 
From there it was about ten feet to the guards beat 
and then freedom or a bullet ; probably the latter, as 
I had heard the officer of the guard give the order 
that if any of us tried to escape to shoot us without 
halting. 

I kept on and had got about twenty feet past the 
guard line when a train of cars came thundering 
along. I kept my eyes fixed on the guard and 
quickened my pace a little, or rather "crawl." About 
that time I heard twigs breaking and looking to my 
right there came Michigander on a dead run. Both 
guards heard it at the same time and started towards 
me. Michigander kept on and was soon out of sight 
and hearing. The guards came to within ten feet of 
me and stopped and listened, but as they could hear 
nothing they turned and went back to their posts, 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 133 

but all the time they would keep looking out my way. 
I lay still for about half an hour and by that time the 
guards had got cold again and returned to their fires, 
so I started for a big pine tree I could see outlined 
against the sky, and when I reached it who should I 
find behind it but the Michigander. He was awful 
glad to see me, but I was in bad humor and blowed 
him up in "whispers," as we were less than fifty 
yards from our late captors. I told him I did not 
want him to go any farther with me as he would be 
sure to get us both captured, but for each to take a 
separate path. He begged so hard that I finally con- 
sented for us to stay together. I knew there was a 
wagon road to the north of us as I had heard teams 
passing before dark, but I had determined to avoid 
the roads and keep to the woods and swamps. So I 
singled out the north star for a guide and then started 
straight east, but had not gone more than a quarter 
of a mile when we came to a swamp. I plunged 
boldly in through mud, water and bamboo vines but 
had not gone far before I was up to my neck in water. 
Michigander came puffing and blowing along behind. 
I soon saw that we could make no progress that way, 
as the vines were so thick they had already torn my 
coat and pants in strings, so we backed out and de- 
cided to try the road until we got past the swamp. 
So we turned north and soon came to the road, then 
turned east and proceeded on our way, all the time 
keeping a sharp lookout and listening every minute 
for straggling rebels. But at last we entered a piece 



134 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

of open pine woods only to discover a line of picket 
fires in front of ns. They were about one hundred 
yards apart and extended both ways as far as we 
could see. We came to the conclusion it was estab- 
lished there to pick up stragglers from the army at 
Wilmington. We selected a point about halfway be- 
tween two of the fires and started in on hands and knees 
to pass the line, and after a very weary time of it suc- 
ceeded without being discovered. We then kept on 
east for about a mile when we came to another swamp, 
but this one was more open and the water not so deep, so 
we waded in and at last came to Cape Fear river close 
to where the wagon road we had left crossed it. Here 
we found a pontoon bridge and a company of rebels 
guarding it, and as we were afraid they would not 
accept our pass we decided not to attempt to cross, 
and feeling very much exhausted we selected a hum- 
mock thickly covered with galeberry bushes, about 
fifty feet back from dry land, crawled into the bushes 
and went to sleep. 

Next morning we could hear the guns much 
nearer than they were the day before so we decided 
that Gen. Terry's army was advancing and that 
Wilmington had fallen. Later in the day we heard 
some rebels talking and they confirmed our opinion. 
We remained here all day and night and the next 
day until about three o'clock when the firing was 
getting close enough so we could occasionally hear 
the sing of a Yankee bullet as they drove the rebels 
before them. We decided that as there would be 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 135 

some desperate fighting at the bridge, and as we could 
be of no use there and did not want to be killed just 
then, even by a friendly bullet, we would go farther 
back and be out of harm's way. But we went almost 
too far. We passed back through the swamp and 
through the open pine woods until we came to an- 
other swamp. Just to our right was a cleared field 
with stock grazing in it. We decided that there 
must be a house near by and we would go to it and 
try at the negro cabins for something to eat. My 
fever kept getting worse all the time, and although 
we had eaten nothing since we escaped I was not very 
hungry but sick. 

We started down along the edge of the swamp 
and just as we turned a point that ran out in the field 
we discovered eight or ten rebels about fifty yards 
from us. They discovered us about the same time we 
did them and gave chase at once. We dodged back 
behind the point of the swamp and lit out at as rapid 
a gait as possible until we came to a path that ran 
into the swamp. We dodged into it and as we did so 
I looked back and saw the rebels just coming around 
the point. We ran about twenty feet from the edge 
of the swamp and dropped down in the thick under- 
growth and held our breath. Soon in came the 
Johnnies on a run past us and so close we could have 
touched them with our hands. But they never saw 
us, although they had a dog with them. It surely 
was no hound or we would have been hunted out in 
short order. To make matters worse a battery came 



136 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

along in a few minutes, unlimbered, and commenced 
shelling our men across the river. We expected 
every minute our men would reply, and in case of an 
artillery duel our position (not over fifty feet directly 
in rear of the rebel battery) was surely not a desirable 
one, especially as there was no chance for us to move, 
as the rebels who had discovered us at first had re- 
turned and were keeping up their search, which they 
continued until about nine or ten o'clock at night. 
I had a dreadful cough and would hold it back all I 
could. When I could hold it no longer I would stick 
my face down in the mud and smother the sound. 

Finally we went to sleep and slept until mid- 
night, when we were awakened by heavy firing 
which we at first thought was in the opposite direc- 
tion from the bridge, but in the morning we decided 
that it was at the bridge as we could still hear an 
occasional shot from the same direction, and as we 
could not tell whether our men held the bridge or 
not we started to work our way over near the road 
so we could see if there were any of our men passing. 
We got out of the swamp at last and crawled into 
some bushes on a hillock in the pine woods and staid 
there until about 3 p. m., when I told Michigander I 
was not going to stay there any longer. I was get- 
ting very sick. My cough was so bad that I coughed 
every minute, and my fever was very high. Michi- 
gander said he would stay where he was as he would 
run no more risk of being captured. So I started on 
by myself. When I came to the swamp I noticed 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 137 

that the long grass in the edge of it was all trampled 
down as was also the path through it. The grass all 
leaned one way, and that was towards me, and I 
knew it was not that way the day before, so I decid- 
ed that the rebels had run out that way during the 
night. Feeling very much encouraged I kept on 
and soon came out where I could see across the river, 
and there proudly floating from a tall pole was the 
dear old flag and the whole country around covered 
with tents, and, God bless them, blue coats too. 

I soon came in sight of the bridge and there I 
saw a "blue belly" inarching up and down on guard. 
I started for the bridge and as I neared the sentry the 
sergeant of the guard came to meet me, and his first 
words were : "In the name of God what are you?" 
I was certainly a horrible looking object. I only 
weighed 114 pounds ; when I was captured I weighed 
200 pounds. He took me to Gen. Terry's head- 
quarters, which were just at the end of the bridge. 
Gen. Terry and his staff were sitting on the porch of 
the house. When they found out I was a Union 
soldier there was not a dry eye in the crowd, but all 
I could do was to laugh. You can imagine how I 
looked. Six foot one and one-half inches tall ; 
weighing only 114 pounds ; had not seen a piece of 
soap in nine months ; my coat and pants hanging in 
strings ; my feet and legs swollen and covered with 
sores ; hair long and matted and beard the same ; it 
was no wonder that I looked scarcely human. One 
of his aids took me in charge and turned me over to 



138 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 

a company of infantry that were encamped near by. 
They had just cooked up a lot of rations and I came 
very near killing myself by eating, but was stopped 
in time by the Orderly Sergeant. I told Gen. Terry 
where Michigander was and he sent out a detail and 
had him brought in that night, and next morning 
sent us in an ambulance to the hospital at Wilming- 
ton. When I got there they had to carry me in and 
that was the last I remembered for about ten days. 

When I came to my senses I was in an old negro 
woman's cabin about a quarter of a mile from the 
hospital, and she was feeding me chicken broth with 
a spoon, telling me to eat it u honey" it will make 
you well. All I had on was a shirt and a pair of 
drawers and an army blanket around me. I had 
wandered away from the hospital. She said I came 
into her cabin and told her 1 was hungry. She saw 
I was sick and killed a chicken and made me some 
broth, and when she got it ready I did not have sense 
enough to eat it so she had to feed me. She sent out 
and got two soldiers to get an ambulance and I was 
carried back to the hospital, where I remained sever- 
al days. In the meantime there had been an ex- 
change of prisoners and the city was full of them, 
and I was finally sent to Annapolis, Md., with a boat 
load of them. 

My brother Frank was stationed at the dock to 
count the men as they came off. I was carried off on 
a stretcher and he counted me in with the rest with- 
out recognizing me. The next day after I got there 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 



139 



I got one of the nurses to write to Conklin to come 
clown and see me (he being as I supposed at parole 
camp near Annapolis). And sure enough he was, 
and he and another young fellow came down to see 
me the next day. After they left me they met my 
brother and told him where I was. He came right 
down to see me, and then I had the first news from 
home in nearly a year. All were well and I was 
happy. 



140 FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY, 



THE REVEILLE. 



By Miss Agnes C. Atwater, Ithaca, N. Y„ 



Fall in ! fall in I Old comrades come, 
With noiseless step and silent drum ; 

Our eyes across the long years see 
When mem'ry sounds the reveille. 

Across the mists of thirty years 
We see the first young volunteers, 

We hear the music of the band, 

The sound of marching in the land. 

And through the cheering crowd there slips 
A tender thought of trembling lips ; 

Of clasping hands and tear-wet eyes ; 

Of hope-filled words and brave good byes. 

But soldiers grew from raw recruits 
Before the rebel's grim salutes ; 

And through the battle's dust and smoke, 
With fire and death our purpose spoke. 

We learned the four years' lesson well, 
The voice of bullet, shot and shell ; 

The prison pang, the hunger vain, 

The homesick longing worse than pain. 

The roll-call's still increasing list, 

Of comrades wounded, killed or missed ; 

Yet on we marched and watched and fought, 
Till slowly came the end we sought. 

Fall in ! fall in ! Again we hear 

Brave Custer's words of praise and cheer : 
"No color lost, no missing gun," 

The Union saved, the victory won. 

Now call the roll of quick and dead, 
And listen with uncovered head ; 

For still our comrades old we see, 
When memory sounds the reveille. 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 



141 



DIED IN PRISON. 



The following list of members of the Fifteenth 
New York Cavalry, who died in Andersonville prison, 
has been kindly furnished by G. E. Dolton, of St. 
Louis : 



No. 

GRAVE. 


Name. 


J Co. 


Date Death. 


Disease. 


7,007 


Alderman, F. 


F 


Aug. 27, '64 


Diarrhoea 


6,548 


Answell, J. 


A 


Aug. 23, '64 


Dysentery 


5,802 


Clemens, A. 


F 


Aug. 15, '64 


Diarrhoea 


6,404 


Davidson, M. 


M 


Aug. 21, '64 


Diarrhoea 


8,588 


Dighard, F. 


A 


Sept. 12, '64 


Scorbutus 


9,779 


Ferguson, J. M. 


G 


Sept. 26, '64 


Scorbutus 


9,347 


Graham, J. 


L 


Sept. 20, '64 


Diarrhoea 


6,114 


Hore, R. 


L 


Aug. 19, '64 


Diarrhoea 


9,562 


Hudson, S. R. 


L 


Sept. 23, '64 


Scorbutus 


11,781 


Ivespeck, W. 


E 


Nov. 3, '64 


Scorbutus 


n,499 


Lane, J. W. 


M 


Oct. 26, '64 


Diarrhoea 


9,864 


McCardell, W. 


H 


Sept. 27, '64 


Scorbutus 


12,241 


Nott, S. A. 


E 


Dec. 7, '64 


Scorbutus 


3,386 


Parker, J. 


F 


July, 16, '64 


Diarrhoea 


1,542 


Pellett, Ed. 


I 


June 1, '64 


Diarrhoea 


9,667 


Shaw, T. I. 


M 


Sept. 24, '64 


Diarrhoea 


7,845 


Sturdevant, G. 


I 


Sept. 4, '64 


Diarrhoea 


10,661 


Sutliff, E. 


M 


Oct. 11, '64 


Diarrhoea 


7,9 T 5 


Turden, E. S. 


D 


Sept. 5, '64 


Diarrhoea 


6,753 


Tallette, D. 


K 


Aug. 24,^64 


Dysentery 


7,635 


Van Buren, J. 


B 


Sept. 2, '64 


Diarrhoea 



142 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 



Names and Dates of Engagements. 



Upperville, Va., 
Lost River Gap, Va., 
New Market, Va., 
Front Royal, Va., 
Newtown, Va., 
Piedmont, Va., 
Waynesboro, Va., 
Lynchburg, Va., 
Salem, Va., 
Martinsburg, Va., 
Snicker's Gap, Va., 
Ashby's Gap, Va., 
Berry's Ford, Va., 
Winchester, Va., 
Martinsburg, Va., 
Charlestown, Va., 
Green Springs Run, Va., 
Lacey Springs, Va., 
Waynesboro, Va., 
Ashland, Va., 
Dinwiddie, C H., Va., 
Five Forks, Va., 
Kepponeck Creek, Va., 
Namozine Church, Va., 
Appomattox Station, Va., 
Appomattox, C. H., Va., 



February, 20, 1864 

May 10, 1864 

May 14 15, 1864 

May 23, 1864 

May 25, 1864 

June 5, 1864 

June 10, 1864 

June 17-18, 1864 

June 21, 1864 

July 10, 1864 

July 17, 1864 

July 18, 1864 

July 19, 1864 

July 23-24, 1864 

July 25, 1864 

August 21-22, 1864 

November 1, 1864 

December 21, 1864 

March 2, 1865 

March 15, 1865 

March 30, 1865 

April 1, 1865 

April 2, 1865 

April 3, 1865 

April 8, 1865 

April 9, 1865 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY, 



143 



PROMOTIONS. 



NAME. 



Colonels : 
Robert M.Richardson 
John J. Copinger 



Lieut. -Colonels : 
Augustus 1. Root. . 
Henry Roessle 



Majors : 
Joseph H. Wood. 
Henry Roessle... 



Jefferson C. Bigelow 
Robert H. S. Hyde . . 



Michael Auer 

George M. Ellicot 
Adjutants: 

Sidney Tuttle 

Frederick Mann. . 



Charles H. Lyon. . . 
(Brevet Capt. N. Y. V.) 

Quartermaster : 
Edward ti. Trull . . 

Commissary : 
Cortland Clark — 

Surgeon : 
George V. Skiff.... 



Date of 
commission 



Feb. 

Jan. 



Nov. 20, 

May 10, 

Nov. 30, 

April 6, 

May 10, 

Nov. 30, 

Nov. 9, 

June 17. 

Nov. 30. 

May 31, 

June 17. 



Assistant-Surgeons : 
John P. Robinson . . . 
John C. Wall 



Milton A. Halstead 

Chaplain : 
Isaac O. Fillmore . . 

Captains : 

Michael Auer 

John M. Rulifson . . 



Albert O. Skiff 

Thomas G. Putnam . . 
Jefferson C. Bigelow. 
George N. Truesdale. 



Nov. 
Feb. 
Nov. 



May 
Feb. 



!<•, 



May 18, '64 



Nov. 
Nov. 

Feb. 

Nov. 

Nov. 

June 



20, 

9, 

15, 
30, 

30, 

17, 



Date of 
rank. 



Jan. 6, 
Jan. 19, 



Sept. 16, 
May — , 



Sept. 16, 

April 6, 

Mar. 8, 

Nov. 35, 

Aug. 30, 

June 9, 

June 30, 

May 33, 

June 7, 



June 13, 
Jan. 6, 
June 12, 



Aug. 38. 
May 3, 

Jan. 6, 



'63 



y:; 



'»>-> 



•til 



y,:; 



Yl 



April 30, '64 



July 34, 
Aug. 30, 

Feb. 13, 

July, 30, 

Aug. 30, 

May 8, 



Remarks. 



Resigned January 19, 1865. 
Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation, June 17, 1865. 

Killed in action April 8, 1865. 
Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17, 1865. 

Discharged April 14, 1865. 

Promoted to Lieutenant-Col- 
onel May 10, 1865. 

Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17, 1865. 

Transferred to Second Provi- 
sional Cavalry, June 17, '65. 

Not mustered as Major. 

Not mustered as Major. 

Resigned May 22, 1864. 

Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17, 1865. 
Not mustered as Adjutant. 



Disc barged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17, 1865. 

Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17, 1865. 

Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17, 1865. 

Died Feb. 3, 1864, of disease. 

Transferred to Second Provi- 
sional Cavalry June 17, '65. 

Transferred to Second Provi- 
sional Cavalry June 17, '65. 

Not mustered. 

Discharged March ti. 1865. 

Mustered out on expiration of 
term of service June 17, Y.5. 

Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June li, L865. 

Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17, 1865. 

Discharged DJj reason of con- 
solidation June 17, L865. 

Not mustered as Captain. 



144 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 



NAME. 



Date of 
commission 



Date of 
rank. 



Remarks. 



Orson R. Colgrove — 

Fred'k J. Maxwell . . . 
Charles G. Hampton. 
George M. Ellicott. . . . 

Leonard F. Hathaway 

WallisM. Boyer. .... 
Burritt N. Hurd 



Nov. 20, '63 Aug. 26, '63 



Richmond Finch 

John F. Moshell 

(Brevet Major N.Y.V.) 

James C. Rennison. . . 

John S. Hicks 



Feb. 15, '65 Feb. 
April 11, '65 1 Feb. 
Nov. 20, '63 Aug. 

Nov. 20, '63 Aug. 



Aug. 

Sept. 

Feb. 
Sept. 



William F. Weller.. 
Marshall M. Loyden 
Morris J. McUornall 



Seth J. Steve 



First Lieutenants 

Joseph La Beff 

Albert (). Skiff 



Edgar F. Johnson. . . 

William P. Shearer. 
Richmond Finch — 



Silas S. Bigelow. 



Ralph D. Short 

Robert Cameron, Jr. . 



William Stanton. 



Nov. 20, '&3 
Nov 9. '64 



Feb. 15, '65 
Nov. 20, '63 



Feb. 

Nov. 

Tune 
Feb. 
Nov. 



4, 

20, 

17, 
4, 



Jan. 

Oct. 

May 
Jan. 
Oct. 



Jan. 16, '64 



Nov. 
Dec. 



20, 
29, 



Feb. 15. '65 



Nov. 
Sept. 



Feb. 15, '65 



Nov. 
Nov. 



Feb. 15, '65 



Frederick J. Maxwell 
Paul Tarcott 

William D. Pearne. . . 
Edgar L. Miller 



Henry S. Krum . 
Burritt N. Hurd. 



Nov. 
Feb. 



Nov. 
June 



Nov. 
Dec. 



SethB. Walworth. 



Joseph Herron 

William F. Weller. 



G. N. Truesdale 

Jerry Lester 

Morris J. McCornall 
LeviT. Sheldon 



2(1, 
15, 

20, 
IT, 

20, 



Nov. 9, '64 



Nov. 
Dec. 

Feb. 

Nov. 

Feb. 

Nov. 



12, 
13, 

13, 

26, 
26, 



n\ 



6, '64 

5, '63 

8, '65 

6, 'tit 
5, '64 



Jan. 6, '64 



July 
Dec. 



Feb. 12. '65 



Tuly 
July 



Feb. 12, '65 



Aug. 
Oct. 



Feb. 12, '65 



July 
Feb. 

Aug. 
Mar. 

Aug. 
Dec. 

Sept. 

Sept. 
Dec. 

Jan. 

Oct. 

Jan. 

Oct. 



Mustered out on expiration of 
term of service Dec. 24, '64. 

Not mustered as Captain. 

Not mustered as Captain. 

Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17, 1865. 

Transferred to Second Provi- 
sional Cavalry June 17, 1865. 

Discharged September 14, '64. 

Mustered out on expiration of 
term of service Dec. 12, 1864. 

Not mustered as Captain. 

Transferred to Second Provi- 
sional Cavalry June 17, 1865. 

Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17, 1865. 

Transferred to Second Provi- 
sional Cavalry June 17, 1865. 

Not mustered as Captain. 

Died Oct, 5, 1864, of disease. 

Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17, 1865. 

Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17, 1865. 

Discharged November 30, '63. 

Promoted to Captain Febru- 
ary 18, 1865. 

Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17, 1865. 

Missing since October 30, '64. 

Mustered out on expiration of 
term of service June 17, '65. 

Transferred to Second Provi- 
sional Cavalry June 17, 1865. 

Died January 20, 18<>5. 

Mustered out on expiration of 
term of service Dec. 17, 1864. 

Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17, 1865. 

Resigned February 13, 1865. 

Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17, 1865. 

Dismissed March 9, 1865. 

Not mustered as First Lieu- 
tenant. 

Resigned November 30, 1863. 

Promoted to Captain Novem- 
ber 9, 1864. 

Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17, 1865. 

Discharged Dec. 28, 1863. 

Transferred to Second Provi- 
sional Cavalry June 17, 1865. 

Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17, 1865. 

Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17, 1865. 

Promoted to Captain Novem- 
ber 9, 1864. 

Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17, 1865. 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 



145 



NAME. 



Charles H. Lyon 

Second Lieutenants 

John H. Phillips 

Edgar N. Johnson 



Edward Pointer... 
Oscar R. Colgrove. 



John M. Rulifson 

Lorenzo W. Hatch . . . 

Orlando E. Dickinson 

Levi T. Sheldon 

Silas S. Bigeiow 

James Holahan 

Charles G. Hampton . 

Hezekiah B. Ranney 
S. B. Walworth 



Date of 

commission 



Date of 
rank. 



Remarks. 



Jan. 16, '64 



Edgar Miller 



J. Beman 

William Whitlock . . 
Walter V. Banning. 
Roswell S. Heggie. . . 



John S. Hicks 
William Stanton. 



John W. Frazer . 
Burritt N. Hurd. 



Edson Griffls 

Henry A. Maynard 



Richmond Finch. 

PaulTarcott 

John Gallagher. .. 



Levi Kraft 

Samuel Hunter. 
Peter Boehm. 



Duncan Campbell. 



Edward Fuller 

Heman H. Griswold. . 
William Carpenter. . . 



Nov. 
Nov. 

Feb. 

Nov. 

Nov. 

Nov. 

Nov. 

Nov. 

Nov. 

Feb. 

Nov. 

Nov. 
Feb. 



Nov. 9, 



June 
Nov. 
Dec. 
Sept. 

Nov. 
Nov. 

Mar. 
Nov. 

Jan. 
Jan. 

Feb. 

Sept. 

Feb. 

Nov. 
Jan. 
Mar. 

Feb. 

Jan. 
Aug. 
Feb. 



Jan. 

July 
Nov. 

Feb. 

July 

Nov. 
Oct. 

Nov. 

Aug. 

Oct. 

Feb. 

Oct. 

Aug. 
Jan. 



6, '64 Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17. 1865. 



Oct. 14, '64 



Mar. 
Aug. 
Dec. 
July 

Aug. 
Oct. 

Mar, 
Sept.. 

Jan. 
Jan. 

Jan. 

July 

Feb. 

Oct. 
Jan. 

Mar. 

Jan. 



'»').". I Hsrharged October 30, 1864. 
'64 Promoted to First Lieuten- 
ant February 15, 1865. 
*•'>") Transferred to Second Provi- 
sional Cavalry June 17. L865. 
'03 Promoted to Captain Novem- 
ber 30, 1863. 
'63 Promoted to ("apt. Nov. 9, 'til. 
"64 Not mustered ; killed in 

action. 
'64 Discharged by reason of con- 

I solidation June 17, 1865. 
'63 Promoted to First Lieuten- 

I ant Nov. 9, 1864. 
64 Promoted to First Lieuten- 
ant February 15, 1865. 
Transferred to Second Provi- 
sional Cavalry June 17, 1865. 
Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17, 1865. 
Discharged January 5, 1864. 
Promoted to First Lieuten- 
ant November 9, 1864. 
Transferred to Second Provi- 
sional Cavalry June 17, 1865. 
65 i Not mustered. 
'63 Resigned December 11, 1863. 
'63 Not mustered ; declined. 
'64 Discharged by reason of con- 

I solidation June 17, 1865. 
'63 Promoted toCapt. Nov. 20, '63 
'64 



Y>3 



Jan. 

'64 Aug. 
'65 Feb. 



Anthony Dever*. 
Emory Ornisby*. 



Promoted to First Lieuten- 
ant February 15, 1865. 
Discharged June 28, 1865. 
63 Promoted to First Lieuten- 
ant December 29, 1863. 
6, '64 Resigned January 7, 1865. 
18, '6o Discharged by reason of con- 

solidation June 17, 1865. 
6, 64 Promoted to First Lieuten- 
ant September 16, 1864. 
8, '64 Promoted to First Lieuten- 
ant Februarv 15, 1865. 
12, 65 Transferred to Second Provi- 
sional Cavalry June 17, I860. 

5, b3 Discharged December 11, '63. 

6, 64 Died February 26, 1865. 

3, '65 Discharged by reason of con- 
solidation June 17, 1865. 
b, 64 Transferred to Second Provi- 
sional Cavalry June 17, 18(55. 
6, ^1)4 Resigned December 17, 1864. 
~b, 64 Not mustered ; declined. 
'65 Transferred to Second Provi- 
sional Cavalry June 17, 1865. 
Discharged May 24, 1864. 
Discharged January 11, 1865. 



*On records of War Department ; not commissioned. 



146 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 



ORIGINAL MUSTER IN ROLL. 



Through the kindness of Comrade Charles B. 
Sturdevant, of Co. I, the original muster in roll of 
the regiment is presented. It is a document that 
will bear careful perusal and will no doubt cause a 
smile on the faces of some of the members who be- 
longed to one company and was mustered in another. 



COMPANY A. 

Michael Auer, Captain, Joseph LaBeff, . First Lieutenant, 

John H. Philip, Second Lieutenant 



Adel, Henry 

Albriz, Frederick 

Barr, Frank — 

Baldwin, Amos B 

Barnes, Geo 

Behim, Joseph 

Bennett, James 

Bessey, Wellington . . . 

Brown, James 

Bucher, Peter 

Burns, Milo 

Burnham, Parris W.. . 

Butter, Nicholas 

Cain, Lewis 

Carney, Anthony 

Garden, Patrick 

Cornell, Alonzo 

Corney, Jeremiah — 

Glune, John 

Delaney, Daniel 

Diamond, James 

Diamond, Patrick — 

Deput, Anthony 

Doran, Joseph 

Dwyre, Timothy 

Doyle, Francis 

Eberling, Valentine. 

Felleon, Geo 

Fielding, Geo 

Fleman, Wm 

Gillboy, James 

Green, Chas. W 

Henon, Henry C 



Huntley, John 

Howd, Wm. C 

Huson, Joseph 

Houck, Jacob 

Hatch, Lorenzo W 

Hallam, Wm 

Harwood, Wilton 

James, David F 

Jenks, Jos 

Kelling, Levi 

Keys, John 

Laderick, Christian — 
Lawton, Pyrhus H. r 

Leshure, Chas 

Lebender, Thos 

Lewis, Wayland 

Lewis, Eli 

Magee, Oscar 

Martin, John 

Marchise, Jos. E 

McManus, Fred 

McMath, James 

McGovern, Geo 

McGough, John 

McCormick, Samuel . . 

McCue. Patrick 

Mead, Chas. A. M 

Melvin, John 

Middendorf , Peter 

Miller, Matthew 

Maser, Christian 

Miller, Chas 

Mosbrook, Andrew 



Morrison, Edward N. 

Ostrander, Edwin 

Orr, Francis H 

Pardee, John 

Phelps, Geo. E 

Pointer, Edward 

Rath, Geo 

Rapp, Conrad 

Richmond, Eugene . . 

Robinson, Geo. W 

Richardson, Jas 

Rills, David 

Scull, Richard 

Sidel, Frederick 

Schuert, Frederick . . 

Selwood, Chas 

Szotthefer, John 

Smith, Geo 

Spaulding, John 

Spaking, Joseph 

Springer, Frederick . 

Stokey, Henry 

Turney, Wesley 

Warn, John 

Webb, Jas. W 

Whitney, Asa 

Wilson, James 

Wheel an, John 

Wilcox, Geo. W 

Wells, Rolla 

Wright, Chas 

Walters, Chas 

Yager, Jacob 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 



147 



COMPANY B. 

Thomas G. Putnam, — Captain, Wm. B. Shearer, First Lieutenant 

Oscar R. Colgrove, Second Lieutenant. 



Ackley, Adelbert S — 

Allen, Francis 

Anderson, Geo. W. . . 
Baldwin, Edward J. . 

Bacon, Walter A 

Bennett, Win. H 

Brown, Chas. C 

Brown, Frederick 

Bryant, Jerome W — 

Buckley, Daniel 

Burnell, Win 

Burden, Henry 

Brooks Alonzo D 

Burdick, Alonzo E. . 

Bennett, Alfred G 

Case, Oscar I) 

Case. Willard 

Casey, Patrick 

Clancy, John 

Coleman, Washington 

Corbett, Patrick 

Crawford, Chas 

Ellehoat, John 

Flit craft, Thos 

Gates, Jas. H 

Genn, Wm 

Gillespie, Francis . . . 

Gladwell, Robt 

Gorman, Daniel 

Greenbush, John 



Jefferson C. Bigelow, — 
Levi T 

Anderson, Chas. J. . 

Arnold, William 

Babcock, Hiram 

Beeman, Henry 

Benedict. Wm. D 

Burch, Milo 

Bird, Peter T. B 

Blackwood, Neil 

Booth, Wesley 

Bortle, Seymour 

Broakaw, James C. . . 

Brooks, John H 

Brown, Asa 

Brown, William H. . . 

Calf, Benjamin 

Call, Matthew 

Clark, Charles 

Cleveland, Turner . . . 
Cloys, Benjamin F. . . 
Commings, Alonzo... 
Commings, Thomas. . 

Condon, William 

Dean, Joel M 

Dempsey, Jeremiah. . 

Donahue, John 

Dulle^han, Tbos 

Fisher. Charles H 

Finn, George 



(ireen, Jas. N 

(Gardner, Fernando .. 

Harrington, John 

Hennessy, Michael... 
Henhulse, Frederick. 

Hessait, Patrick 

Hickey, John 

Hill, William 

HollaLan, Jas 

Hulbertson, Jas. A. . . 

Hunt. James 

Hull,Dewitt 

Hardee, Wm 

Hammond, Wm 

Johnson, Jas 

Kinson, Jacob 

Lappin, Jas 

Loomis, Almarin D. . 

Lucus, Jas. B 

Lapham, Gilbert T. . 

Martin, Geo 

McGuire, Michael 

Mettleton, Wm 

Morse, Leander G 

Murphy, Edward 

Nichols, Martin F. . . . 

Orton, Martin 

Pape, Geo. H 

Pitney, Byron 

Randolph, Lucius F. . 

COMPANY C. 

Captain, Ralph D. Short, First Lieutenant 

Sheldon, — Second Lieutenant. 

Newell Geo. 



Reed, Chas. W 

Re^an, John 

Renaw, Geo 

Rhoades, Christ -)phei 

Ri.i^s, Kneeland 

Rohan, Richard 

Rones, John 

Ryan, Michael 

Schuyler, Wm. P 

Scully, John 

Sexton, Robt. M 

Sibe 1 , Wm 

Smith, John 

Sherry, Adeib.it 

Stafford. Samuel 

Stiles, Chas. H 

Sweet, Chas 

Thursting, Geo 

Tiffany, Leonard . 
Tracy, Abel 



Tripp, Geo. S 

Van Buren, John A. 
Vosburg, Marion E. 
Walker, Frank S... 
Welch, Patrick ... 
Wheeler, Gilbert R. 

Wilbur, Rufus 

Woods, James. ..... 

Wright, Jas. B 



Falkner, George 

Frazer, John J 

Fuller, Martin 

(ouwood, William. . 

Gregg, Leslie 

Hacket, William 

Hart, Joel S 

Hattens, Williarn 

Hathaway, Frank 

Hennessy, Arthur 

Herbenson, Geo. B. 

Hodges, Amos 

Jarvis, Benj. F 

Johnson, James H. 

Johnson, Chas. H 

Keller,. Jacob 

Knowles, Albert 

Lewis, Henry W 

Madigan, Frank 

McGary. Charles 

McLaughlin, 

Major, Henry 

Middlebrook, Aaron . . . 
Milligan, Patrick .. 

Mann, Frederick 

McCormick, Francis... 
Norget, Robert 



Norman, A bram 

Oakley, John J 

Otis, James E. 

Parsons, Chester F 

Peacock, Ambrose 

Raymond, Chas. E 

Reed, Thomas J 

Reeves, William W. 
Rockwell, James L. . . 
Rockwell, Lewis A. 

Savers, Chas. A 

Scamting, Michael 

Sevoy, Lewis 

Shutliff, Geo 

Singleton, Edward 

Spendlove, Philip C. ... 

Saline, Lorenzo H 

Thompson, Melville C. 

Townsend, Henry 

Tuttle, Henry X.* 

Van Antwerp, John . . . 
Vescelius, Afanson S.. . 

Waters, John 

Wood, Charles 

Warner, John C. 

Youngs, John 



148 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 



COMPANY D. 

Orson R. Colgrove, . . .Captain, Robt. Cameron, Jr., . . .First Lieutenant 
(.'has. G. Hampton, .. .Second Lieutenant. 



Adams, El win ... ... 

Alexander, Ephraim . . 

Anderson, Edwin 

Balslay, Lucius D 

Barnes, Corridon 

Bennett, Wm. S 

Benson. George 

Bigelow, Cyrus S 

Bostwick, Glassford H. 

Burney, James L 

Brown, Frederick E — 

Colgrove, Wm. H 

Cooper, Robt. I 

Costello, Charles 

Crilley, John 

Dearlove, Robt 

Decker, Wm. H 

Deevesy, Andrew 

Dervin, Patrick 

Ebart, Frank 

Francis, James 

Gibbs, Hiram H 

Glover, Thomas 

Gorman, Henry. 

Gorman, Nathaniel... 

Grier, James 

Haynes, Sylvanus 

Harrington, Wm. W. . . 
Herrick, Wm S 



Hewitt, Robert 

Hoag, Geo. W 

Holmes, Clark .... 

Holmes, John 

Hunter, Nathan S. . 

Irvine, John 

Johnson, Francis B. 

Jones, John J 

Jordan, William . . . 

Kratz, Jolin 

Laraby, Edward . . . 
Laraway, Ben. T. . . 
Magher, Michael . . . 
Mahon. Michael. . . . 
Maganic, James — 
Miller, Gurdon H. . . 
Mitchell, David — 

Moore, James 

Miller, Edgar 

Morse, Jerome 

Morgan, Alfred — 
Morgan, Edward. . . 

Nash, Morris E 

Nichols, Wm. H.... 

Payne, Robt 

Pri'ndle, Wm. J 

Reed, Chas. L 

Reynolds, Edwin . . . 



Riley, Thomas 

Robinson, Gustavus — 

Rogers, Amicha J 

Resner, Scott 

Schrader, Daniel 

Schrader, Jacob 

Sherman, Wesley 

Sheapard, John 

Shoals, David L 

Siglar, Wm. A 

Slagut, Gilbert 

Smith, Edward 

Snook, Theo. D 

Stanley, Calvert 

Stanton, Calvin P 

Stearnes, D. Philander. 

Stewart, Addison 

Slingerland, Geo. W. . . 

Taylor, Azariah S 

Taylor, Samuel 

Travis, Geo. W 

Travis, Warren J 

Vogul, Fred R 

Walter, Chas. A 

Wells, Levi. 

Willis, Edward 

Warden, Squire 

Walters,Charles 



COMPANY E. 



Geo. M. Ellicott, 



Ashman, Robt 

Beesman, John 

Birmingham, John 

Boreal, Paul 

Boughton, Wm 

Bushbee, Frank 

Butter, Chas. H. . . . 

Bond, Geo. A 

Bragdon. Edward . 

Bean, Richard 

Cole, William 

Connine, Richard H 

Conley, James 

Corcoran, James . . . 
Coughlin, Joseph . . 
Coughlin, Peter — 
Cooper, William . . . 
Dodge, Melvin C. . . 

Duffner, Chas 

Dwyre, Dennis . . . . 

Dickerson, O. E 

Ebert, William 

Emms, George 

Frazier, Geo 

Gleason, James . . . . 

Good, George 

Guman, John 
Gormly, Thomas. . . 
Halbut, Civilian . . . 



. .Captain, 
H. B. Ranney, 

Harris, John 

Hayes, John 

Hogan, Thomas . . 
Heal, William — 
Heath, Alonzo — 

Hollis, Geo. C 

Huff, Henry 

Huffmartin, John 



Hyoth, Frederick 
Hawkins, Wm. . 



Hamilton, Robert 

Hoxie, Wm 

Holmes, Geo 

James, John 

Jacobus, John — 
Ken yon, Jonas . . . 

Learman, Geo 

Lilly, Richmond,. 
Lincoln, Noah B. . 
Lake, William . . . 
McClellan, John . 
McGrath, John . . 
Metzler, John — 
Michels, John P. . 
Michlian, Peter . . 

Miller. John 

Morgan, James H 
McGurn, Aeph . . . 



Fred J. Maxwell, First Lieutenant, 

. . Second Lieutenant. 

McLean, John G 

Neston, John 

Oothoudt, Richard 

Pagefall, Max 

Perry, Congdon O 

Primmer, Sylvester 

Roberts, Thos. S 

Rollo, Peter 

Russell, Luther 

Sabel, Peter 

Schneidtr, Theo 

Scott, William 

Shaw, Hozea L 

Sherman, Frank 

Silverson, Edward 

Slattery, Michael 

Smith, James 

Smith, Walter W 

Smith, William 

Snvder, Peter 

Scott, Thos. H 

Sherwood, Geo. W 

Temple, Charles 

Turner, William 

LTnelauf, Oscar 

Whitney, Frank 

Wright, Albert 

Wells, Franklin H 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 



149 



COMPANY F. 

Leonard F. Hathaway, . . Captain. William D. Pearns, — First Lieutenant. 
William Whitlock, Second Lieutenant. 



Akins, Harrison T 

Bagley, J. A 

Balcomb, John J 

Bowers, Henry 

Burke, Edward 

Burt, Elihu C 

Brown, Harvey 

Barrows, Stephen 

Beebe, Nathan 

Chrysler, Mathias 

Cooper, Wm. F 

('alien, John 

Chafry, Thos. J 

Crane, Wm 

Cronk, Ledrick 

Curly, Fogus 

Carpenter, Stephen — 

Devine, Peter 

Donahue, James 

Durkee, Chas 

Duffy, John 

Durston, Thomas W . . . 

Dwyer, Roger 

Durkee, Nathan 

Dawbree, Anthony — 

Deahan, Edward. 

Demander, Nathaniel S 
Echter, Gustavus 



Fitzgerald, John 

Fahomsswold, Chas . . 

Graves, John W 

Graham, George 

Greenfield, John 

Goodrich, Chas 

Helser, Edward A. . 

Johnson, John 

Johnson, Edgar 

Kipp, Joseph 

Keefe, Michael — 

Larkin, Michael 

LeRoy, Wm 

Livingston, John 

Lounsbury, Jas. V 

Lee, Francis 

McCarthy, Dennis — 
Mclntyre. Geo. W — 

McCoy, William 

McCoy, Henry 

McGaun, Chas 

Murpby, John 

Nash, Geo. W 

Noro, Leander 

O'Donald, Pat 

Phillip, James 

Prescott, Albert 



Peters, Wm. G 

Patten, William... . 

Peters, George 

Pellett, Edward 

Pettock, Robert 

Putney, John H 

■ Robinson, Oliver 

Rennie, Albert 

Riley, John 

Snyder, Theo 

Sharp, John 

Shepard, Henry H . . 
Storing, Homer H. . . 

Standen, John 

St. Germain, John. . 

Stratchin, John 

Savalien, Moses 

Taylor, William 

Tobin, John 

Tobin, Richard 

Tobin, Thomas 

Turner, Thomas. . . . 
Wilkinson, Lorenzo. 
Wilcox, Nelson B . . . 
Washburn, Stephen. 
Welch, Barnard. . . . 
Zeller, Edward 



COMPANY G. 



Wallis M. Boyer. 



Captain, 

John S. Hicks,. 



Henry S. Krum, First Lieutenant, 

Second Lieutenant 



Apgar, Melville 

Ashfield, Jno. H 

Baldwin, Jno. G 

Beeman, John B 

Benson, Peter 

Barton, Seymour 

Bradshaw, Silas 

Brown Joseph R 

Bontley, Geo. W 

Brown, Geo W 

Bailer, Chas 

Barton, James R 

Buntey, Byron D 

Babcock, Sewell 

Canfield, Jas. M 

Coalman, Edward 

Clark, John C 

Clinton, Edward P 

Covelle, M. C 

Cheesebrough, Peleg... 
Demaranville, Seth L.. 

Davis, William 

Doyle, Edward 

Daily, Thomas 

Delain, Paul 

Dwire, Wm 

Drew, William 

Ediek, Harvey 



Everts, Byron 

Frisbee, Samuel 

Fruzakerly, Wm. . . 
Freer, Martin P — 
Gordon. William. . . 
Ginemer, Lewis . . . 
Haviland, Edgar. . . 
Hennesy, John . . . 
Heggie, Roswell H. 
Hayes, Henry O. . . . 

Halsey, John J 

Jewell, H. S. 

Jones, Wm. E 

Knapp, Charles — 
Kimball, Wm. E. . . 
Kenyon, Chas. W. . 

Landon, Daniel 

Lane. Emory A 

McCarthy, James.. 

Matson, Geo. J 

Moulton, Allen 

McClenthu, Chas. . . 

Moor, James 

Meher, Anthony . . . 

Manning, John 

Maynard, Henry A. 
Mandeville, Chas. . . 



McLean, Joseph 

McGovern, Michael.. 

Mulligan, John 

Moseley, Chas. D 

Nepage, Otto 

Norton, Wm 

Norton. Chauncey S. . 
Perry, Ebenezer . ... 
Patterson Frank H. . 

Reynolds, John D 

Rusher, Alonzo 

Slater, Jos. H 

Strong, Wm. A 

Sweeney, Thomas — 

Squires, Chas. H 

Stanley, Orrin 

Strowbridge. Geo. W. 

Sweeney. Dennis 

Sikes, Orlando 

Turney, Norman 

Teeter, Charles 

Van Marter, Enos — 
Vanderburg, Wm . . . 

Wat kins Amos R 

Wood, John L 

Webster, Solomon . . 
Wallace James J 



150 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 



COMPANY H. 

John F. Moschell, Captain. James HeiTon, First Lieutenant. 

Burritt N. Hurd .Second Lieutenant. . 



Babet, Frederick — 

Bailey, John 

Belsea, Lewis 

Bisgrove, Joseph 

Brown, Willi am 

Burt, William 

Button, Geo. H 

Casler, Allen 

Cegga, Pierce 

Comstock, Orville . . . 

Cronk, John J 

Clark, Aaron P 

DeGarney, Wm 

Dewey, Wm. H 

Downer, Wm. ■ W 

Dovle, Hugh 

Duff, John 

Emily, Thomas 

Etter, (ieo 

Clifford, Martin 

Grey, George 

Guider, John 

Gallagher, John 

Haffey, Dennis 

Hardin, James 

Helser, Edwin A 

Henderson, Deforest. 
Hiiliker, John H 



Hines, James 

Hubbard, Oliver 

Haviland, Samuel T.. . 

Huntley, Delos 

Hurlbut, Albert H.... 

Jefferson, James 

Jennings, Thomas, Jr. 

Jones, John 

King, James 

Leach, Ephraim 

Leonard, Harvey 

Manihan, James 

Markey, Patrick 

McCabe, John 

McCabe, John 

McDonald, James 

McGan, William 

Maxwell, McAilen 

McNamy, Peter 

Miller, John 

Morse, Leonard D 

Nash, Virgil M 

O'Brien, Patrick 

Oliver, Samuel C 

Pauik, Loan J 

Phillips, Herbert L — 
Porter, Henry T 



Reed, Edmund 

Sadler, Asa 

Sayres, David 

Sherwin, Fred C 

Sloan, Geo. B 

Smith, James 

Stapleton, John 

Stuid'evant, Geo. H.. . 

Tierney, John 

Thornton. James 

Tarcott, Paul 

Utter, Stephen A 

Van Arsdale, Geo 

Van Buskirk, Martin 
VanBuren, Abram... 
VanOrder, Kimball.. 

Wallace, James 

Warner, Henry L. . . . 

Webster, Herbert 

West, Roswell 

Wheeler, Alvin 

Whitcomb, David L. . 

Williams, Arthur 

Williams, Orrin 

Wood, EJa 

West, L. Nathaniel. . . 
Zimmerman, Jacob.. 



COMPANY I. 



Joseph Herron, Captain. 



Abbey, Ohas 

Allen, Hiram 

Avery, Francis W . . 

Barber, Gideon 

Barr, Hiram H 

Belanger, Joseph I. 
Bender, Charles — 

Blake, Edward 

Blythe, Chas 

Bowen, James 

Breen, Thomas 

Bisgrove, Joseph . . . 
Brownell, Morton. . 

Burger, Wm. N 

Barnes, Geo. W — 

Buttey, Edwin 

Butler, James 

Caliban, Jerry 

Canty, Michael. . . . 
Carter, Henry L — 
Casilman, Lorenzo. 
Cavilier, Benj. B.... 

Connor, Geo 

Churchill, Flavius . 
Clark, Stephen D. . . 
Clary, Thos 



Cochlin, Timothy . . . 

Cones, Geo. W 

Cook, Newton G 

Conroy, John 

( 'rot'oot, Henry 

Delaney, John 

Derosse, Paul 

Dix, William 

Doyle, Joseph 

Drake, Horace L 

Ehle, Seymour 

Evans, Darwin 

Featherly, Harvey . . . 
Fredenburgh, Henry. 

Gaines, Anthony 

Gal ens, Peter 

Goudy, Jabez 

Harvey, Edward E. .. 

Hinman, .las. B 

Hoag, Harlan 

Hopkins, Wm. H — 

Hauser, John A 

Howes, John 

Hoyt, Jason W 

Hyde, Michael 

Kasson, Wm 



Kelly, John 

McCarthy, Dennis. . . 
McCracken, John — 
McLane, Edward — 

Mead, Albert 

Monroe, Conger 

Murphy, John 

Mundy, David 

Murray, James 

Price, Wm. H 

Reynolds, Burton . . . 
Richardson, Jos. M.. 

Rowe, Beazor 

Scott-, David F 

Secord, John L 

Shoff, Alexander 

Smith, James 

Sturdevant, Chas B., 

Seir, Leonard 

Trowbridge, W. IP. 
Van Nelson, Hosea... 

Watkins, Robt 

Whitewell, Chas. B.. 

Wiles, Leonard 

Wright, Eldred 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 



151 



COMPANY K. 



John S. Hicks, Captain, .lerry Lester, First Lieutenant 

Levi Kraft, Second Lieutenant. 



Albring. Win. IL 
Avery, Daniel J. . 

Barber, Jolin P 

Batterson, Asa ... 

Bet Is. Milo 

Bowman, W m 

Boyce, Lyman 

Brewer, Sidney 

Broudock, Martin.. 
Brower, Wm. H. . . 

Brown, Geo 

Burgess, Thos. G. .. 

Carol 1, Edward 

Conklin, Eli 

Cook, Walter 

Coony, John C 

Davis, Nathaniel. .. 

Decker, Thorpe 

Devan, Win. W.. . 
Dockstaver, Geo.. . 
Dykenian, Delos. . 
Dennis, Caleb — 
Downer. Benj. H. 

Edick, Harvey 

Finck, Anthony. 
Finny, James ... 

Fowler, Ernest 

Gardner, Peter 



Galligher, Thos.... 
George, ('has. W. 

Greaves, Wm 

Halienbeck, David. 
Hammond, John F. 
Haskell, Josephus. . 
Higgins, Michael . . 

Ilorel. (has 

Hunt, Geo. W. 

Kresinger, Thos. . . . 

Kling, Peter 

Lamay, Peter 

Leach, John 

Lorter, Pur 

Leonard, Win. H . . . 
Maguire, Michael . 
McGovern, Henry . 
McGrath, Henry. . . 

Meher, Peter 

Mellville, Joseph. . . 
M it ice, Henry M. .. 
Nelson, Edward. . . 

Newbeaur, Geo 

Newcomb, Patrick. 
Perry, Wesley S.. '" 

Peterson, John 

Pew, Chas. S 

Preston, Alonzo H. 



Looi. Amos 

Robinson, .los 

Ryan, Geo. A 

Ryan, John A 

Schoonmaker, Silas W 

Seymour, Harvey 

Smith, Mclvin A 

Smith, George 

Sterling, John 

StelleS .lames W 

Stewart. David 

Sweeney, Rom 

Spurlock, Hubert J 

Torry. Robert E 

Turner, John 

Tarcott, Chas 

Van Allen, Peter 

Van Wagoner, John.. 

Vedder, Elisha 

Weaver. Ceo 

Welch, John 

West Joseph 

West, Newell 

Williamson, Edward . 
WiUoughby, Anson . . . 
Woodhridge, Henry. . . 
Yager, Luther E 



COMPANY L. 



Marshall M. Loydon. . Captain. Morris J. McCornell . .First Lieutenant, 



Babcock, Wm. H . . . 

Bailey, Lewis H 

Baldwin, Caleb 

Banta, Aaron T 

Bargus, Jos 

Barker, John 

Barr, Albert 8 

Beck with, Thos 

Benjamin, Dunn &.. 

Bloomer, Wm 

Bowen, Samuel 

Broadhead, .las 

Bryan, Nathan 

Buchanan, .las. A... 

Burdick, Geo. K 

Burdiek, Jesse 

Burdick, Peleg 
Burns, James. 
Chilson. David W.... 

Clune, Frank 

Corey, Hiram 

( 'art w right, Geo. W. 

Decker, Geo 

Decker, Jeremiah C. 

Dickson, David It 

Downey, James 

Downing. S. B 

Dunn, David L 

Edwards, Win 



Frazer, John W 

Gilson, Oliver P 

Gilson, Samuel H 

Goble, Thos. O 

Graham, James 

Heaton, Amos 

Ilighy. Chas. F 

llindlev, ('has 

Hudson. Sidney R 

.Johns, ('has 

Kelly, Michael 

Kent, .lames 

Kinney, Edward 

Lozier, Joseph 

Marshall, Chas 

Massen, Geo. R 

Mc< 'ahe. Owen 

McDonald, Leander. . . 

McDonald, Thos 

Milliken. Robt. S 

Murdock, Joseph S — 

Myers, Isaac 

Nicholak. ( 'lark 

Ogden, Gilbert B 

O'Neil. Nathaniel II. 

Page, < 'harles 

Puckard, Matthew 11.. 

Patten, Esau S 

Patterson, Chas. H — 



Patterson, Theodore. 

Peck, John .1 

Penney, Theo. P 

Phillips, Courtland.. . 

ITesseV. Daniel O . . . . 

Puff, John W 

Remington. Jason I '• 
Robinson, Seth K — 

Rosecrans, Elijah 

Ross, Charles E 

Rump, Benj. A 

Say, John 

Sherman. John N 

Smith, Charles 

Smith. John W 

Spamback, John 

Stanton, William 

Thompson, James. . . 

Travis, John 

Turner, Thomas G.. 
Van Order. Charles.. 

Wallace. John II 

Webber, Samuel 

Westfall, Aaron T.. 

Westfall, ecu. w 

Welter, James II. . 

Wliilniniv.l 'has. W 

Willy, Jonas 

Wright. Wm. II 



152 



FIFTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY. 



COMPANY M. 



Seth J. Steve, Captain, 



Edward Fuller Second Lieutenant 



Aklo, Levi 

Baker, Josiah 

Ballf, James 

Bates, James A 

Bennett, George 

Blackwell, Andrew J. . . 

Boynton, Huel K 

Beecher, Milton 

Bulus, Oscar . * 

Burk, Michael 

Butcher, John 

Carpenter, Wm 

Celle, James R 

Clark, Frank 

Clark, Geo. M 

Cole, Charles 

Corcoran, Richard 

Cosgriff, Peter 

Crandall, Noyes F 

Culver, John H 

Curry, Joseph 

Curry, Jas. Jr 

Daly, John 

Dampsy, James 

Davison, Maxwel 

Dawson, Thomas 

Delemater, Hezekiah . . 
Depew, Wm. H 



Donovan, Charles 

Fox, William 

Gardner, Thos. O 

Gracey, James 

Griffin, Jesse 

Gough, Philip 

Grady, Michael 

Hall, George 

Hennessy, Patrick 

Hesse, Herman 

Higens, John 

Hill, Theodore 

Hurkley, Dier 

Holmes, Henry H 

Hubbell, Charles 

Huycke, George 

Jarvis, Kobert 

Jones, Edward 

Jones, Edwin 

Jones, Walker D. 

Keeting, John 

Kelly, Samuel 

Kent, Sanford L 

King, Bernard 

Kipp, Geo. B 

Lane, John YV 

Linderman, H. Willett. 



Little, Edward W 

McConnell, James 

McLaughlin. John E... 

Miller, Frederick A 

Monaghan, Patrick K. 

Norton, Ashbel 

Palmer, Lory 

Parker, John R 

Perry, Theodore A 

Porter, Edward 

Porter, William 

Raidy, John 

Shaw, Thos., Jr 

Sheldon, Thomas 

Shorey, Joseph 

Skelley, John 

Sneed, Henry C 

Spanier, John P 

Sutliff, Edward 

Thayer, Warren 

Turck, Abram 

Uncer, John 

Van Beuschoten, Geo. . 

Watson, Winslow J 

Williams, John 

Wilson, George 

Wilson, James 



H 122 80 , i 



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INDIANA 46962 









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